CAUSE & EFFECT (Vol III)

Part 47- "I'm glad we could come to an arrangement"

"Thank you for meeting me"

"I must say, I was rather intrigued when you invited me here" Alex replied as he took a seat opposite Olivia "although, I'm also somewhat confused at the invitation to this....restaurant" Alex looked around unimpressed at the minimalist interior of the tiny downtown Italian restaurant Olivia had invited him to.

"I'll get to the point then" Olivia leaned in over the table towards Alex "I know your secret"

Alex looked completely unfazed by Olivia's comment as he stared at her, waiting for her further elaboration.

Olivia clasped her fingers together and gave an amused smile "I know you raped Daisy Robinson. I also know that you don't know that Freddie and Daisy both know what you did"

Alex shifted uncomfortably, glancing around making sure no one was in hearing distance "I have no idea what you're talking about"

"I figured you'd say something like that, after all, you wouldn't be stupid enough to confess and get yourself in trouble" Olivia casually lifted a breadstick to her mouth and took a bite.

Alex visibly relaxed in his seat "you forget I'm worth billions Miss James, I don't get in trouble easily"

"Perhaps" Olivia continued while taking a second bite "however, my father is a judge, and if I were to tell him that you raped me also, he would make sure that you get locked up....for life"

"What do you want" Alex spat

"I'm glad you asked. I want you to get rid of Daisy" Olivia's face turned serious with her demand.

"You don't think I've tried to seperate her from Freddie?" Alex was becoming irritated with the conversation.

"Clearly you're not doing a good enough job then are you. I don't want you to simply break them up. I want Daisy removed physically from Freddie's life for good" Olivia's tone was low and cold.

"What do you suggest I do? kidnap her? Kill her?"

"I'll let you work that on out" Olivia waved her hand dismissively.

"And if I don't help you?" Alex enquired with a hint of fear.

"The fact that Daisy and Freddie haven't made a move against you for her rape means only one thing, they're upto something. As discreet as they are in their plans, I have no issues in reporting you myself. Consider yourself lucky for my warning Alex." Olivia's threat was firm and iron clad.

Alex looked down at his empty plate "Daisy asked me over to see her tomorrow night"

"Invite your rapist over for a catch up? How sweet" Olivia sarcastically replied "I'd watch my back"

Alex was suddenly filled with dread.

Daisy had been distant and cold from him for a while now, clearly because she knew what had happened it would appear.

Surely whatever her agenda, she was going to punish him for his actions.

Giving a nod of acceptance of Olivia's offer, he looked up at her "give me a few days, I'll think of something"

"I'm glad we could come to an arrangement" Olivia was pleased with the result of her meeting, unaware that she had single handedly just ruined Daisy's revenge plan.

*********

Throwing her favourite crystal vase across the room, shattering it against the wall, Daisy paced her apartment in fury.

Alex had suddenly had to return to Russia for business, and needed to postpone his dinner with her.

Picking up the phone she urgently dialled her uncle's office number at the hospital.

Tapping her foot impatiently while she waited for him to answer, she regretted breaking the vase which left shards of glass across her hardwood floors.

"Uncle Geoff it's me. He's not coming. The fucker needs to go back to Russia for a few days. This changes everything now"

**********

Having spent most of the evening in a dimly lit bar on the wrong side of London, Freddie contemplated his next move carefully.

His thoughtless actions from the past, had left him with the likelihood of Daisy leaving him for good, and having to settle with Olivia for the sake of their child.

Countless shots of whiskey made no difference on his pain, infact, it intensified his fears and made him question whether there was any way out of what he had put himself into.

Despite her best efforts not to stare, the bartender snuck glances at Freddie each time he finished another shot and lifted his hand, signalling for another.

Obediently, she poured his refills despite knowing that he had reached his limit at least 10 shots ago.

"Uh...Mr Mercury? I think perhaps you should switch to water for a bit?" She suggested in a sheepish tone.

Freddie wanted to tell her to shut her mouth, but her concern over his excessive drinking was valid. He gave a thankful smile and a nod "I think you're right"

Filling a tall glass of water, she slid it in front of him. Drinking it's entire content, Freddie pulled a disgusted face "Urgh tastes horrible"

The bartender gave a chuckle "I think your tastebuds must be numb to anything that isn't alcohol"

"You might be right on that, what's your name?" Freddie asked with interest.

"Joanna"

"Freddie"

"I know who you are" Joanna replied with a humoured undertone " I called you Mr Mercury, what brings you here?"

Freddie shrugged "escape?"

"Hard day?" Joanna asked with  genuine interest as she wiped down the bar top.

Running his index finger along the rim of the glass, Freddie contemplated the question before looking up at her "you could say that yes"

Joanna leaned onto the bar and gave her full attention, waiting for an explanation from Freddie.

"Well Joanna, I believe I have fucked up my entire life and now I'm miserable"

Joanna raised her brows in surprise at the admission "I'm no expert but surely it can't be completely fucked up"

"Olivia James is pregnant to my child, I however am in love with Daisy my ex wife, who has many of her own demons to...combat and therefor I don't want to add to her worries."

Standing up straight and crossing her arms across her body, Joanna digested the very open and honest confession she had just heard.

"Right....are you sure the baby is yours?"

Freddie shrugged again "who knows at this point my dear"

Leaning back towards Freddie, Joanna looked around before looking back at him "Women, will go to great lengths to keep their men around, if I were you, I'd be demanding a paternity test. Also, I've followed your love life and...well I think Daisy is the one for you"

"What if she doesn't want me?" Freddie's question was filled with worry.

Joanna took his hand gently "she will"

Freddie looked down at Joannas hand on top of his, and suddenly realised that he needed to stop being concerned about others, and be honest about his feelings with everyone.

What was the point on staying with Olivia when he loved Daisy? For the sake of a child? He would honour his responsibilities and provide for the baby naturally, but a child doesn't lock anyone down to anyone, does it?