He Stares Back

Chap. 29: Cheers, You A-Holes!

*Picture of Roger Reasons, his wife Rebecca, & their daughter Monroe*

Christian helps Emily out of the SUV, paparazzi cameras nearly blind her. Questions about the shooting accusations, the FBI, and Christian losing his long time lawyer. Happy, Felix, and Zephyr all shove the paparazzi away. Christian pulls Emily under his arm, covering her face as they make their way into Periè de France.

Once inside, Christian let's Emily go. April waits for her boss by the restaurant entryway. The billionaire goes to the registers area.

"Christian Taylor party for the conjoined Reasons-Taylor party." Christian looks over at Emily, holding out a hand for her to take. "We are a bit early."

The waiter nods his head. "Certainly, the Reasons family is waiting for you upstairs."

Emily takes Christian's hand as they all make their way through the restaurant to the VIP section upstairs. Emily's eyes try not to stare at everyone as they pass by tables who have already been served. But someone catches Emily's eye. She tugs on Christian's sleeve. He turns to her, putting his hand on her hip to pull her close.

"Brody is here!" Emily whispers in his ear.

Christian's face darkens. "Ignore the bastard."

Emily slowly nods but says nothing. How did he know we'd be here?

As they head up the stairs, Emily nearly falls in her heels. Christian helps her up as does Happy. She thanks both of them before continuing. The first thing Emily notices about the VIP section is that its dark. Dimly lit by candles. She feels like she's stepping into a horror movie. She grips Christian's hand tighter as she realizes no one else is in the VIP section than a sharply dressed man and two younger women. The waiter brightens the VIP section so they can all see. The three, whom Emily assumes is the Reasons party, stands and comes to greet them. The youngest woman, who looks only a few years older than Emily and is drop dead gorgeous, rushes over and falls into Christian's arms. She attaches her lips to Christian's holding his face as she firmly kisses him, her hands rubbing his back. Emily's mouth goes wide, jealously boiling inside her. She starts towards the beautiful woman but Happy grabs her arm to stop her. When the brunette looks to her bodyguard, he shakes his head at her.

The beautiful, young woman let's go of Christian, who has a goofy smile on his face as well as her red lipstick. She giggles and wipes her lipstick off his lips, being flirty.

"It's so nice to see you again, Christian Sweetheart." The drop dead gorgeous woman says to Christian, her doe eyes innocent. "It's been too long!"

Christian turns to look at a cross-armed Emily, who glares daggers at them both. His goofy smile fades and worry fills his eyes. He holds out a hand for Emily but she doesn't take it, she just walks over but keeps a great distance between the both of them.

"Monroe, this is Emily East." Christian tries to touch her but she shifts away from him, "Emily, Baby, this is Monroe Reasons."

"Mmmhhhhmmm." Emily stretches a crooked smile and nods, her eyes focused on Monroe.

Monroe gives her a dirty look but smiles up at Christian. "Oh, please come sit next to me Christian Sweetheart! I'm dying to catch-up!"