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The Quintessential Q
Chapter Thirty Two
Emily glances over at Nikolas. So far Lucky's windfall and the dinner had preoccupied them. Dinner was coming to a close. The maid had already poured coffees or brandy for those that wished. Mrs. Landsbury rolls out a cart with the dessert-- Apple and Blackberry Meringue soufflés. The mini soufflés are served to each diner. Mrs. Landsbury looks around to make sure that everything is running smoothly and then retreats to a safe distance.
"I was hoping to hear from you today." Nikolas opens quietly not wanting to draw attention to their conversation.
"Grandfather monopolized my time this morning."
"The fictitious meeting became real?"
"He specializes in busy work but yes, we had a lot to go over with the promenade project." Emily savors a bite of the tart soufflé. "This is amazing. I know that Mrs. Landsbury wasn't expecting all of us." Emily continues-- "After the meeting this morning I had another project I was working on and then I went up to see Carly and ran into Lucky. You never did say where you and Lucky found the safe...."
Nikolas gets a hunted look on his face. This is not where he wanted the conversation to go. Stefan notices and interrupts. "Miss Bowen-Quartermaine, I can't help but be impressed with you skill in identifying these stocks. And I understand that you are involved in the docks project as well? I was hoping to find out when the renovations would be completed so that the launches will return to normal."
"I'm sure that Grandfather would prefer that it never returns to normal." Emily sets down her fork. She leans forward in her chair. "The docks themselves are already beginning to repay the investment. The next phase is the promenade. That is what Grandfather is involving me in. I don't expect to impress you or someone with a more... continental experience." In a hushed voice she continues. "Don't tell Grandfather but I actually got my ideas from Jax and Jerry Jacks."
Lucky chokes. "Excuse me?"
"You don't spend much time with them so maybe you never noticed. But I get really tired of them saying I've had better in Switzerland, no offense,..." Emily nods to the bankers who shrug. "...Shanghai, or San Francisco even."
Alexis nods. She swallows and then adds her two cents. "I know just what you mean. Everything is always better somewhere else. They spend all their time flying in some delicacy or another." She rolls her eyes. "It just seems such an ... affectation after awhile." Alexis falls silent realizing that right behind the Jacks brothers in that little game was her brother.
"I don't think they really mean to be such a pain but the Jacks seem to collect restaurant menus instead of pictures of their travels. Grandfather and I discussed it this morning-- not the Jacks but an idea for the Promenade. With the proximity to the docks and all of the things coming in from abroad it's ideal for developing something like the Pike Place Market in Seattle."
"Mrs. Landsbury will probably love that." Lucky nods. "I know my mom will."
"Excuse me?" Stefan asks unfamiliar with the American landmark.
"Fresh, exotic, seasonal, unique." Lucky start throwing out adjectives that describe the Market.
"Exactly." Emily grins at Lucky. "I've already got a couple of verbal commitments for restaurants."
"You talk to Eli yet? Or some of the restaurants down in Chinatown?" Lucky asks. "Nobody seems to go down to Chinatown anymore."
Nikolas looks down at his soufflé and pushes it away. He can guess who one of the verbal commitments was from. Actually he doesn't have to guess. Johnny Cook had already told him that Emily was involved in a project with him. "If there is any way I can be of assistance I hope you'll let me know." Nikolas offers. Stefan looks at him with a furrowed brow. Nikolas changes the subject avoiding his father's gaze. "How is your grandmother's project going?"
"They've started renovation on the theater exterior. I haven't been down in that part of town lately. But she and Reggie will be spending more time down there once they get the rose gardens situated for winter."
Nikolas makes a note to himself. He had to get the house moving even more rapidly. Once Lila was spending more time at the theater, Emily would be spending more time in that part of town as well. Keeping his presence and the project secret after that would be difficult if not impossible. "Any word on the Shakespeare troupe?"
"They finished their last play in the park down in Rochester. They are in the process of moving in now. The first production will be starting in a couple of weeks." The maid comes out and starts clearing away the dessert dishes.
The party rises and makes their way back to the front room. The bankers continue their examination of the stock certificates. Stefan is distracted by a business call from Toyko. Alexis pulls a notebook out of her briefcase and starts jotting down notes. She calls Lucky over with a question. Nikolas takes the opportunity to invite Emily out to the gardens. Emily nods and follows Nikolas outside. The brisk fall air sends a little shiver through her. Nikolas shrugs out of his suit jacket and hangs it over Emily's shoulders. Emily smiles in thanks. "I really am sorry about last night, Emily. I hope you'll give me another chance." Nik asks softly as he smoothes the jacket down Emily's arms.
"I don't want to talk about last night." Emily bites her lip. "I'd rather forget it happened."
"I won't forget because I don't want to make that mistake again. I was... am jealous."
Emily turns around an looks at Nikolas questioningly. "Of what?"
Nikolas reluctantly answers. He knows he owes Emily this. "Johnny Cook. You seem to be spending a lot of time with him. Time you used to spend with me."
Emily makes her way over to a bench and sits down. She looks up at Nikolas. "I don't get this." She shakes her head. "Nikolas, we haven't spent time together, real time, since... you were recovering from being shot. I know you care about me but I was always the last one on your list for when you didn't have anything else to do."
"That's not true." Nikolas protests. Emily just looks at him and smiles a sad lopsided smile. "It's not, Emily, and if I made you feel that way then I have more to apologize for than ruining your dinner last night. I'm sorry, Emily. I admit my perception of you, the way I care for you, changed: after the Deception takeover, the wedding. You've grown up and I feel like I'm just waking up." Nikolas sits down next to Emily. "My eyes are open now. Not only to you but also to the people that would rather us not spend time together."
"If you mean my grandfather...." Emily protests.
"No. Your grandfather's reservations are understandable, admirable even. There was... someone... who wanted me to mess things up with you. I played into their hands and hurt you. I'm sorry. I didn't realize. Lucky had to point it out to me."
"Who?"
"That doesn't matter. Just someone that I thought was a friend but who Lucky made me see was working an agenda of their own." Nikolas dismisses Victoria Porter from his mind.
"Well Hell." Emily nods making a connection-- hanging around the Spencer's was good for more than just the entertainment. Nikolas looks at her in surprise. "Victoria Porter strikes again." She says softly reading in Nik's eyes that she is correct.
"How did you know?" Nik bursts out. "Am I the only one who didn't realize?"
"Yep." Emily affirms. "But it works in your favor because it just proves how oblivious you are at times." She laughs. "We should get back inside. It really isn't fair to leave Lucky alone with your father and the bankers."
Nikolas rises and takes Emily's hand assisting her up. "I'm not oblivious now. Alexis will protect Lucky. But you're right. Emily...."
"It's forgotten, Nikolas." Emily says firmly.
"Then you'll give me another chance." Nikolas insists.
"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?" Emily answers. She reaches for the door to go back inside but Nikolas beats her to it-- opening the door for her. "Thanks."
Nikolas whispers in Emily's ear as he takes in the room. "I think we're in trouble."
"I told you so." Emily hands Nikolas' jacket back to him and joins Lucky. Lucky's glare is enough to melt steel. He is seated on one side of Alexis. Stefan has taken up a chair and has been watching the negotiation between Alexis and Lucky with interest. Stefan's face is serious enough, as serious as ever, but anyone really looking at the guy could tell by his eyes that he was laughing his ass off on the inside. Being a joke for Cassadine was wearing on Lucky's last nerve.