The Book of Rook

Chapter 29

PHOENIX

When Rook finds out I had lunch with Frances twice this week, he might lock me in the penthouse and never let me out. Hear me out, she's not a bad person. Just misunderstood.

She met Philip at a grief counseling session. She had lost her husband of 30 years to leukemia about the same time Rook's mother was killed. They talked over coffee. Coffee turned into dinner and then dinner turned into breakfast. If you catch my drift. She was blushing when she told me that part. They started dating, then weekend get aways and eventually they said the "L" word to each other. Hearing Frances talk about it, she sounded like a teenager school girl. They both lost the loves of their life, so they had that in common. Both were lonely and attracted to each other. Frances never had children so she was hoping when she met Bishop and Rook, they would become her surrogate children. Those dreams were dashed when Philip introduced her to them. The twins decided she was the enemy and trying to take their mothers place, which was so far from the truth. Frances's husband left her well off, so she doesn't need the Raines money either. She did sign a pre nup with Philip so if they were to ever divorce, she would get a nice settlement but that was all. Frances does love Philip but stopped trying with Rook and Bishop.

I feel I need to help Frances along. Rook and Bishop never gave her a chance. This is a delicate matter which I have to handle with ease. After lunch, we went shopping and then Pierce drove us to a soup kitchen where Frances volunteers. She also offered to talk to a friend of hers who owns a restaurant who's looking for a chef. I said no at first, but she insisted. All she wanted to do was get me an interview, I had to prove my worth and get the job. I knew I could do it. Rook did say I could get a job so now I needed to get my butt in gear and get one.

Frances offered to take me back to the penthouse, but I figured since I was close to Rook's office, I'd stop in to surprise him. I first stopped at the deli across the street to get him a bagel and coffee. Look at me, being a dutiful wife.

I greet Clarissa at the front desk and then walk back to Rook's office. Cheryl waves me over.

"Rook isn't here. He had a meeting with the architect about his project."

Well damn. "That's ok. I was in the area, so I decided to surprise him. Maybe I'll call you next time to see if he's in." I smile and hand her the bag. "Don't tell him I was here. I'll just see him at home."

A little disappointed, I walk towards the elevator. Just as the doors open, Wayne steps out of the elevator as I step in.

"Hey Phoenix. Came to console Rook?" he asks.

I send him a confused look as I step back out of the elevator. "What do you mean?"

"The winner for the new VP position we were gunning for was announced. Neither of us got it. The jerk who won it wasn't even in the running, but his grandfather gave it to him anyway. Sucks, huh?"

Wayne keeps rambling on and on, but my brain is focused on how Rook didn't get the position. Why didn't he tell me? Was he trying to figure out a way to let me down gently? Maybe he's out now drawing up the divorce papers as we speak. My stomach plummets with that thought.

"Phoenix, are you ok?" Wayne is looking at me all concerned.

I nod my head. "Yeah sure. I'm fine. Listen, I just remembered I have an appointment so I've gotta go." Luckily the elevator doors open and I step in. I give Wayne a wave and as the doors close, I drop the fake smile and start chewing on my lower lip. My brain now goes into overdrive. I start overthinking and find myself going to my uncle's office.