CHAPTER 6- THE MEETING

The music blasts in her ears as she suddenly feels the urge to vomit.

No longer did she feel the pleasure to party as she realizes what a shit mood she'd be in the next morning because she drank too much. Taking that as her queue to leave, Victoria stumbles over to her Fashion designer best friend who's tongue is deep down Taylor's throat.

Despite her mood she chuckles. She knew they'd get a long. Jason had always been such a great friend his over protective personality matched perfectly with Emelia's sweet naive self. He'd protect her.

Not wanting to disturb the couple but desperate to leave she tapped Jason on the shoulder.

"I'm leaving" She screamed, hoping they'd hear her over the loud music.

Jason's head nodded, confirming to her the fact that he had heard her words. Emelia's eyes widened.

"No" Emelia shouted. "We're leaving with you, you can't go alone. You're too drunk"

Noticing for the first time the status Victoria was in, Jason nodded. Em was right, Victoria couldn't go home alone.

Realizing that he too had just nodded his head in agreement, Victoria opened her mouth to argue against their belief. Too her horror however a deep voice behind her had cut her off.

"I believe that's my job guys, I'll be taking my own wife home thanks"

Her mouth snapped shut as she turned around. Eyes wide as saucers she drank in the image before her. There in all his glory was her husband Wes Knight.

Acting as if he hadn't walked out on her earlier, he was now standing before her the hunger clear in his eyes.

'Was he drunk?' She thought to herself as she stared at him.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. She could feel her lips dry, darting her tongue out of her mouth she licked her lip in anticipation, his eyes moved down to her lips as he watched the movement of her tongue.

The crowded club drowned out as they focused on solely on each other. The chemistry so strong and hard to ignore.

To her horror, he stepped towards her as she felt the lump rise back up her throat, try she might to push it back down but she couldn't, her next actions out of her control as she felt herself as she bend over and vomit over his shoes.

Disgust. Grabbing her by the arm he pulled her outside.

"Wait here" he ordered her. Turning to the bouncers her tossed them a hundred dollar bill telling them to watch her as he headed back inside to get Monique.

Victoria heard his exchange with the bouncers and laughed. Of course Monique. She should be happy for him. She thought. She needed to stop whatever this was with him. She didn't want to be the other woman and it was obvious to her, should she sleep with him she would be the "other woman" despite the fact that she was the wife.

Determined not to make a fool of herself, she put her hand out to stop a cab. She'd leave by herself. Lord knows she needed time alone to regroup.

Noticing what she had done, Clement one of the regular bouncers stepped forward to stop her.

"I'm tired Clem" she told him. "Just tell him I've gone home" nodding his head with a "yes, boss" he stepped back.

Victoria smiled to herself. Silly Wes, didn't he know she owned this club. No tip was gonna stop her employees from listening to her. They were loyal beyond doubt.

Not wanting to go home wasted for her daughter to see and no longer wanting to go the penthouse since Wes knew of it now and would no doubt go look for her there she turned to the cab driver "Holland Park Street please"

With a nod of acknowledgement the cab driver drove off through the city as Big Ben chimes indicating the first hour of the next morning.

***********

"Oi" She heard as she felt a nudge at her rib. Choosing instead to ignore the man beside her she turned over and fell of to sleep again.

Not caring a bit about how she felt he kicked her off the bed. A grunt escapes her lips as she fell down onto the floor with a thud.

"Jesus Alec was that necessary?!" She questioned. Annoyed at the grown man standing beside her bed.

"Victoria" he flashed her a cocky smile.

"As much as I enjoy the fact that you love my company, you've been here 2 days. Get up and get out you have work." He told her as he walked back out of the guest room she occupied.

Muttering all sorts of colorful curses at him she got up and headed out to the kitchen. There were pancakes on the table and an orange juice. Her stomach growled in hunger, sitting at the table she immediately dug in.

Finishing the last of her pancake she set her fork down and headed off to her room for a shower as Alec walked out.

"I've left my sweatpants and shirt on your bed, you can change into that before you leave."

Victoria opened her mouth to argue. She was going to wear the same dress from Friday night. She could change at home before heading to her office. However before she could say anything and as of knowing what was on her mind he cut her off with his next words.

"You won't be able to head home, Anthony called. Your husband wants to meet you this morning." Recognising the shock on her face he added "your phone is off Tori, he called me as he guessed you were with me since you weren't at home or at your penthouse"

She nodded.

"Also, you can't wear your dress from Friday night its too short, now go shower you stink" he added as he left.

She rolled her eyes. Looking up at the grandfather clock in he living room she noticed the time, it was almost 9 o'clock. Shrieking in surprise she ran into the shower to quickly get ready.

Checking her watch as she entered the main doors of King Industries Sky scraper it read 9:20. Her husband was due in another 10 minutes. Not wishing to delay herself any longer she jogged up to the front desk. With her phone still off she wanted to be able to contact Anthony to get her clothes.

"Amanda" she addresses the raven haired petite woman before her.

She was greeted with a smile. "Ms Thorn, Good Morning..."

Her next words cut short by an angry grunt behind her boss. Looking behind Ms Thorn her eyes widen in surprise and horror.

"Please Amanda," She heard him say. The tone of his voice anything but sincere. With only 2 words uttered it was so obvious to everyone how much he was trying to control his anger.

Amanda looked to her boss for assistance but the sight before her confused her even more. Ms Thorn looked confused and drained, no doubt the sudden appearance of her husband had something to do with this.

He spoke again, snapping her attention back to him. "Tell me, what is it that you had just called my WIFE" on the last word his voice was loud and clear, this time ensuring everyone on the ground floor heard.

Victoria's cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

Wes looked over at his wife. The nerve! This woman had the nerve to stand there and look embarrassed! After letting these people call her Ms Thorn and NOT Mrs Knight! Lord he was going to have a talk with her after this, he thought.

Mayhap he'll bend her over her desk and spank her just to teach her a lesson. He grinned to himself as the image appeared in his mind. However keeping keeping his expression schooled as not to give away what really was on his mind.

"Amanda" his wife spoke as she flashed the girl a smile. "Don't worry, I need you to call Anthony and tell him to go home and pick up something for me to wear before my meeting. Immediately."

"Yes, Ma'am" she replied cleverly avoiding the need to address her by a last name.

Annoyed at her defiance Wes Spoke up but was once again cut off my Victoria's words as she pulled him towards the elevator.

"Calm down Wes, this is only your second time here. I swear if it wasn't for the fact that our Marriage made the media many people would have not believed we even wedded, considering that we've never appeared in public together"

Entering the elevator Wes made a quick signal to his Body guard to catch the next lift, while his other hand rested firmly on Victoria's waist. As soon as the door closed, he wasted no time in having her up against the wall as he whispered into his ear. "That my love, is something we need to remedy."

Pushing him off her, she shook her head and looked on, barely acknowledging his words.

No further words were uttered as they entered onto the top floor. Wes snapped out of his thoughts as he notices for the first time his wife's clothes.

"What on earth are you wearing?" He asked. Noticing the sweatpants and shirt she was wearing, clearly it belonged to a man.

"Are you seeing that escort again?" He bit out the words angrily.

She rolled her eyes at him as a sigh escapes her lips. "I slept over at a friends during the weekend. I haven't seen Javier since that once time"

"One time?" He asked

"Yeah, that was a one time thing I needed release" she shrugged.

It nerved him how she answered so causally. As if she hadn't done a single thing wrong.

"And your friend, male or female?" He asked.

He watched her approach the door to her private bathroom in surprise. Inside hanged a new suit. Even Wes was surprised. Her secretary was incredibly efficient he noted.

Stepping in and closing the door he waited for to change.

As soon as she stepped out he cleared his throat.

Her head snapped up, clearly forgetting he was still in the room. He but back a smile. "You can't get rid of me that well darling"

Shaking her head she finally replies. "If you're going to waste my time with silly questions wanting to know if I slept with another man then just ask. You don't need to beat around the bush."

"Well did you?"

Finally locating her charger and connecting her phone, she looked up at him. He recognized the restraint immediately. She was trying to hold in her anger.

"I think we are way past all that Wes. Don't try and act like a couple now that our marriage is coming to an end especially when you have a Malibu barbie on your arm. But if you must know I did not cheat, I slept over at a friend's and that is all"

Relief flooded him as her heard her words. He wanted to embrace her, hell he wanted to do more than that he wanted to feel her. Stepping towards her to claim her, she stepped back and shook her head at him telling him no.

"You can't come around me pretending you care then try to sleep with me. You need to cut it out Wes"

It dawned on him that he still loved her and sure as hell still wanted her.

Realizing that he needed to change tactics to win her over, he strutted over to the chair opposite hers and sat down. His mind decided on the fact that he was gonna win her over no matter what.

"I'm sorry Rose, you're right" he said. Mentioning the nickname he had given her in the past hoping it would bring back a few of their intimate memories before the proposal.

He cheeks flushed with color. Signalling to him that his planned had worked. He bit back the grin threatening to show.

"Let's meet for lunch and catch up, what do you think" he asked

She shook her head to disagree.

"Why not?"

"I have a reputation to consider, I can't appear with you in public as a wife and then have you strut around with your girlfriend shortly after. Part of the media believe we've divorced, I'd rather they think that then you cheating." She answered.

Leaning over he held her hand resting on her table, looking into her eyes so she could see the sincerity in them he uttered his next words. "I want this for us please Rose. I find myself caring about you more than I thought and seeing you again has brought back old feelings. Let's start over properly my rose. Forget Monique."

She smiles at him. "I'm free at one"

"Great, meet me at the Lumire, its a date"

he flashed her a smile as he got up and left.

Following him to the door of her office and waiting till he got into the elevator, Victoria addresses Anthony.

"Tony, whenever did you get the chance to get my clothes?" she asked him. Impressed with how fast he was able to get it.

"Oh, I'm sorry Mrs Knight" he said.

Victoria bit back a grimace.

'News travels fast,' she thinks to herself.

"I haven't gone yet, I was waiting for you to ask for your key but I don't think you need it anymore" he said, motioning to her clothes.

Nodding her head in agreement, she turned around and walked back into her office.

Sitting back down in her chair, she turned her phone on as she began her daily task, going over approved budgets and proposals.

3 hours later, she looked up from her papers. Her back aching from having hunched over her table for the last few hours. Checking the time one her phone she noticed she was due for lunch soon. It was almost one, she'd have to leave soon.

Packing her things into her bag, she instinctively checked her phone one more time before throwing it in her bag. She noticed an unread message. Wondering who it was from, she clicked on it immediately.

"I figured Anthony wouldn't be able to get your clothes in time so I got you a little something and had Jerome drop it off. You should quite being so irresponsible."- it read. It was from Alec.

"Ass" She mumbled to herself as she closed the message.

She and Alec hand met on the second night of her honeymoon at Omar. Instead of living her alone to wallow he sat by her every night annoying the life out of her. He worked as a good distraction although that's what she felt he meant to do all along although he had never admitted it to her. But rather he worked to drive her insane with every rude remark he had up his sleeve.

Their friendship was based on trust.

Though neither knew much about each others personal life, they were always there to lend a shoulder whenever needed. Where Victoria was soft in a motherly way and stern, Alec was resigned and and straight forward. He didn't sugarcoat words, he often said things as is without a care of another's feelings.

Tossing her phone into her bag, she walked out for lunch. Letting Anthony know of her 1pm lunch, she took her leave.