Chapter 5: The Devil Wears Chanel

Angela took a deep breath and cracked the door. She didn't want her father to hear what might be said.

Dressed in a tailored black suit with gold jewelry, Cookie examined Angela with a pinched expression. On the surface, she looked younger than she had almost four years ago when Angela had last seen her. Thanks in no small part, Angela was certain, to skilled plastic surgeons. But there was a wariness in her eyes that Angela had never seen before. Was it? Could it be? Fear?

Angela stood up a little straighter, bracing herself for Cookie's assault.

"Hello, Angela," Cookie said tersely. "May I come in?"

Angela stepped outside and closed the door behind her. "Whatever it is, can we discuss it out here?" she asked. "My father isn't feeling well. I don't want to disturb him."

"And do you think he'd be disturbed by what I have to say?" she asked, her eyes glinting.

"I don't know," Angela said brusquely. "Why don't you tell me why you're here, Cookie?"

"I assume you didn't inform your father about our agreement," said Cookie.

"That was part of the deal," Angela answered, keeping her expression neutral. She wasn't about to let Cookie Graystone get the better of her. Not again. Never again. What game did this old bat think she was playing? The explicit terms of the agreement were that neither party would discuss the terms of their contract publicly.

"I understand you did very well for yourself at school," Cookie said. "Top notch grades. Excellent job prospects. Good for you. I was hoping you'd found a better place to focus your ambitions than on my son."

"I took full advantage of the opportunity I was afforded," Angela said stiffly. "What sense would it make to waste it?"

Cookie smiled. "You mean the opportunity I afforded you.

"Is there a point to your visit?" Angela asked, again refusing to bite.

"Yes, there is, dear," Cookie said sweetly. Too sweetly for Angela's liking. "I understand you're back in the city for a visit. Am I to believe that your chance encounter with Griffin was exactly that?"

"If you're asking me if I stalked him, the answer is no," Angela said. "He was the last person I expected to see in Central Park today."

"Now, why is that, dear?" Cookie answered with a doubtful look on her face. "Is it because you knew he was coincidentally working right across the street from where you had your little ice cream cart or because you knew he walked that part of the park often during his lunch break?" Her lip curled over the words as though they disgusted her.

"Neither," Angela said. "I can assure you it was completely coincidental."

Cookie's eyes glinted. "So then, what's a bright, up-and-coming young lawyer like you doing pushing an ice cream cart?" she asked.

"I was filling in for my father's sick employee, if it's any of your business," Angela answered. "I was helping my family. Surely, you, of all people, can appreciate that."

"Oh, no one knows better than I do that blood is thicker than water," she drawled. "Especially blue blood. Can I assume that when you get your father back on his feet you'll be on your way home?"

"No, you may not," Angela said defiantly. "This is still my home too. I kept my part of the bargain for the past four years, but our deal ended when I graduated. So I don't owe you any explanation for what I do with my life from here on in."

"Technically, that's true," Cookie said, her eyes glinting. "But by the same token, shouldn't I no longer be bound by the contract as well? Shouldn't I be free to discuss it with anyone I please. Her eyes darted behind Angela and into the kitchen where Angela's father sat.

"If you are trying to threaten me, I wouldn't bother," Angela said, struggling to maintain her cool. She could hear her heart pounding in her head. "If you breathe a word of any of this to anyone, I will sue you. That was the one part of our agreement I made certain stands forever."

Cookie let out an amused chuckle. "Spoken like a budding lawyer. Fortunately, I have a team of my own lawyers who, I have no doubt, will make you wish you were never born should you chose to challenge me."

"Listen, I don't want any trouble," Angela said, suddenly tired of their cat and mouse game. "I'm here to look after my father. I have no interest in Griffin or Savannah, for that matter. I wish them nothing but the best."

Cookie raised her right eyebrow. "I wish I could believe that, dear," she said, her voice even colder than before. It was practically dripping icicles.

"Maybe you should just say what it is you think I'm planning," Angela said carefully. "My food is getting cold, and my father's waiting."

"Perhaps he'd like to join our conversation," Cookie taunted.

Was this the way it would be for the rest of her life? Angela worried. Would Cookie threaten her at every turn, forcing her to bend to her will? "I don't think that will be necessary," Angela said. "Because this conversation is over."

"I'll be the one who decides when this conversation is over," Cookie asserted, her jaw set in the same way Griffin's did when he was being stubborn. Angela stifled a flicker of admiration for the old woman despite how much she hated her.

"Let me get to the point," Cookie said, locking eyes with Angela. "I saw you and Griffin kissing in the park this morning on my way to meet Savannah." Her face hardened. "How dare you jeopardize Griffin's future that way."

Angela suppressed a gasp. "I—," she began to explain.

"No need to deny it," Cookie interrupted, holding up a diamond-studded hand. "I know what I saw. And you won't get away with it. I'll personally see to that. You agreed to stay away from Griffin if I arranged for you to attend Harvard. For you to return now, when he's so happy is cruel. You know there's no future for the two of you. You're from different worlds. You'd end up holding him back, and he'd resent you. Your relationship was nothing more than a childhood fantasy. Griffin is a grown man now with certain social standards to uphold."

"And I don't meet those standards according to you," Angela snapped.

"I warned him many times over the years not to lead you on," Cookie clucked. "He's a sweet boy with a kind heart. Why make things so unpleasant? I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you."

"So you made me hurt him instead," Angela said.

"Turns out it wasn't difficult," Cookie smirked. "I would have paid much more to keep you away from my son."

Anger flared in Angela's cheeks. This woman had no idea what had really happened back then. Angela had her own reasons for accepting Cookie's deal and they were none of Cookie's business. She didn't care about Cookie's threats or her money. Angela had told herself that accepting the position at Harvard was small comfort for losing Griffin, but at least it was something. She'd realized she'd never be allowed to be with him anyway. Not with Cookie around. At least by paying for Angela's education, Cookie Graystone had paid some small price for ruining her life.

Angela opened the door again and stepped inside the house, almost closing the door on Cookie's face. "For the last time, I'm not interested in Griffin. It was over years ago, and we've both moved on. Savannah is welcome to him. They deserve each other. So, if you'll excuse me, I will return to my dinner now."

Cookie, looking pleased with herself, turned to go. "Good," she said pleasantly. "As long as we understand each other."