Chapter Twenty-One: In Which She Gets a Dose of Reality

"Is something wrong, Gloriana? Has something happened to upset you?" He asked as they drove in silence. It had been that way since they left his mother's house and Arden was curious about the change in her demeanor.

Glory tightened her hands on the stirring wheel. Her mind was churning what his mother had said to her, about her mother and about her. She wasn't one to be upset when someone talked bad about her family, she was usually the first one to agree but this time it left a sour taste in her mouth. There was clearly bad blood between the Fox's and her family, a secret that had been swept under the rug.

Her father had been very upset when he had seen the news article now that she recalled and her mother had been quite surprised to see her and Arden together. She didn't like the thought of seeing her mother again, let alone talking to her but she knew her father was an iron safe. Whatever secrets they were keeping buried, he was likely to take them to his grave. Especially if said secrets made him out to look like a fool, something had been her mother's goal it seemed during there entire facade of a marriage.

"Gloriana..." He called her name hesitantly this time, where she remained silent--staring out the windshield. The darkening expression on her face had him more concerned over what had happened during the small portion of time that they had separated at his mother's home.

She turned her face in his direction with narrowed eyes, "What am I to you Arden Fox?"

He pulled back a little surprised by her sudden question, "What do you mean?"

Her eyes narrowed further before she turned her gaze back to the road, the car speeding up slightly as her budding anger made her foot feel heavier, "Exactly what I said, Mr. Fox--what am I to you? Am I a business colleague? A booty call? Your enemy..."

Arden found himself put on the spot without an understanding for it or the words to say to correct it. He shifted around uncomfortably in his seat, reaching up to loosen the collar of his shirt that seemed suddenly to tight for him to get a good breath.

"You are my matchmaker Miss. Novacek. You were hired to--"

She let out a loud bitter laugh that halted his answer. Arden turned his face in her direction to see the way her smile didn't seem to quite reach her eyes, which were darker than they usually looked. She whipped the car down a side street without much care, he had to grip the door handle to keep himself steady.

"Yes, I am your matchmaker Mr. Fox. who you seem to enjoy fucking on the side when your intoxicated..." She rolled her shoulders, "I mean why not fuck the work while it's cheap and easy, Right? God, I am such an idiot." Glory was practically seeing red as she barreled car toward Arden's apartment building. Honestly, the thought of being anywhere near him at the moment was making her sick to her stomach.

She had thought herself past the age of being fooled but her she was realizing that she had done exactly what Lucy had warned her she would do. Glory had gotten lost somewhere between her hatred of the Arrogant billionaire and finding the hours they spent bantering as endearing in some way. She could feel her heart hanging like a dead weight in her chest as her mind kept repeating his mothers words over and over.

You're nothing but a passing fancy.

It was true though, wasn't it? She was simply another woman in a long stream of women that the billionaire had been with. He didn't do anything but fuck girls like her, it was the women like Isobel that he would take to social outings. He had an image to keep and that image needed a woman who shined liked the diamonds she wore. That was a life Gloriana had long sense left behind and vowed never to return to.

"What are you going on about, Miss Novacek?" Arden was thoroughly confused over the strange turn of events. He furrowed his brows as he clutched the handled tighter as she turned another corner sharply, "I can assure you that I want fuck you with or without the influence of alcohol. Hell, I'd fuck you right now if that would calm whatever mental breakdown you are having." He snapped not enjoying the situation he was currently trapped in.

Glory cast a dark look in his direction, eyes narrowed, "Have you seen Isobel since we've been together?"

Arden met her gaze, a bead of sweat building on his forehead at the sudden interrogation, "Together?" He said the word aloud, testing it with his own tongue. It seemed like a foreign concept to be attached to anyone other than Isobel. She had been the only female that he had chosen to commit himself to since he had become an adult. Yet, staring across the car into Gloriana's dark eyes he tried to image her with someone other than him. He felt a spark of anger bubble in his stomach. He didn't know what was going on between him and the fiery brunette that had burned his world to the ground but the thought of her with another man seemed unacceptable to him. He hadn't had his fill of her yet.

He wasn't sure that he ever could have his fill of her.

She licked her lips, the anger tasting bitter on her tongue, "I mean since we've been doing this whole charade--" Glory waved her hand in the air between them, trying to cover her word slippage, "Have you two met up for the horizontal mambo?"

Arden snorted at her childish remark, leaning back into the seat, "Really, Gloriana?"

Glory tensed under his judgement, cheeks flaming, "Just answer the damned question Arden!" She practically shouted into small space that surrounded them. Her heart was racing and she found that she was clenching the steering wheel so tight that her knuckles were turning white.

God, Glory you've really stepped in it this time, She thought to herself as she chewed on the inside of her cheek, You never shit where you eat. Haven't you learned anything from all those romantic comedies you watch?

"I've seen her one time. She tried to start something--I wanted to enjoy it but I couldn't think of anything but you." He replied honestly, it seemed like the better option. He had learned well enough with his mother that women seemed to always know when they were being lied too. He peered over hesitantly in Glory's direction, trying to gage her response.

His words smashed through her like a sledgehammer, an intense unexpected ache building in her chest. She had the urge to reach up and rub at her skin but she kept her hands planted on the steering wheel.

She was nothing but a passing fancy. She sucked in a deep breath, taking control of her racing thoughts. There was nothing that she could do over the choices that she had made prior to this point but she could keep things from spiraling into complete chaos when business between her and Arden Fox was done. She could save herself the heartache that she was certain he would bring into her life the moment he stopped showing up at her house in the middle of the night.

It was in this moment that she realized that she didn't want to be a passing fancy, not anymore. She deserved more than that and so did the people she had lost herself in for brief periods of time. Glory felt the urge to laugh at the fact she had such a life epiphany while in the presence of Arden Fox.

"That was the last time that I saw and spoke to Isobel. I realize that this is probably not what you want to hear..." Arden tried to find the right words to fix whatever damage he had caused. The intensity of her silence was making him extremely unnerved, "I came immediately to you after, I swear it. I haven't been able to think of any other women but you Miss. Novacek. You've completely bewitched me."

Gloriana leaned her head back and laughed at his words, tears pricking at the corner of her eyes. She couldn't decide which emotion was best to express, her overwhelming anger at his arrogance and selfishness, or sadness at the fact that her heart was tangled up in such a ridiculous situation, or the humor at the fact that she had a man like Arden Fox telling her that she had bewitched him like some cheesy romance hero.

She was happy when she realized that they were outside of his apartment building, it stood tall--a reminder of the differences between them. Glory pulled the car up to the curb with a screeching halt, "Have yourself a goodnight, Mr. Fox." She said in a rehearsed voice, one that she had used on her parents when she was a different and much younger version of herself.

Arden felt the chill of Gloriana's cold shoulder, recognizing that she had completely his admittance to her affect on him. He turned to her as he unbuckled, "Gloriana--"

"Goodnight, Mr. Fox." She snapped at him, cutting him off before he could say anything more.

He sat for a moment longer, searching her hardened expression before he got out of the car. He leaned in, hand on the door so that she couldn't leave like she wished, "I don't know what caused you to be so upset but know this Miss. Novacek. I am a persistent man. I don't give up that easily, I wouldn't be where I am if I had. So goodnight, Gloriana." He slammed the door closed before turning his back and walking toward the tower.

Glory turned to watch him go, knowing that she was in a lot deeper than was good for her sanity. How had this happened without her realizing it?

******************

Glory traced her finger through the condensation on the glass as she waited for her mother to show up for the lunch date she had scheduled with her. Her foot tapped restlessly against the leg of the table, Helena was always late to everything that involved her daughter.

It didn't matter that she was her only child, her mother was one of the most selfish people she knew. When she had been younger and foolish, the quality had seemed somewhat endearing. Now, it made her want to punch something.

Her phone vibrated on the table next to her other hand. She peered down at the lit screen to see yet another call from Arden Fox. She reached over and hit the decline button. Still, her heart clenched in her chest with the desire to call him back.

That made it clear enough to her that she needed to put an end to whatever had been going on between the two of them. She had a job to do and that wasn't to fall for the man who was the epitome of everything she hated.

Plus, he wanted a woman like Isobel. Someone who would kiss babies, who never argued with him, and looked great in cocktail dresses. Gloriana was far to opinionated and she thought babies smelled funny, two red flags might as well be three.

"Gloriana." She frowned at the sound of her mothers posh tone of voice, lifting her gaze from her phone.

"Helena, glad to see you are as punctual as ever." She snipped as her mother took as seat across from her at the small cafe table.

She watched her pull off her sunglasses like she was the queen of the god damn city, squinting down at her,"I don't know why you chose to sit outside on the patio. You're skin is already beginning to look pink. You need to take better care of your skin or you'll look like your fifty when you turn thirty five." Glory almost found the urge to laugh at the fact that her mother had only been around her thirty seconds and she was already critiquing her.

She didn't get a chance to reply before her mother was flagging down a waiter. The young girl hustled over with a bright smile, "How can I help you?"

"Yes, can I get a mimosa and make it strong." The waitress looked a little surprised but simply nodded her head and hurried away from our table.

Helena swung her gaze to me, a tight smile on her face as she took a seat across from Glory, "I was surprised when Marissa told me you wanted to have lunch with me. It's been a long time since we spent some girl time." She ruffled her short blonde hair with her perfectly manicured hand.

Glory took a sip from her glass, "Yeah, about six years to be exact...but who's counting?" She mumbled to herself.

"So how are things going with you and Arden Fox? He seemed particularly taken by you when you came to my shop. Has a tongue as sharp as his mother." She kept smile though it didn't seem to reach her eyes, but then again Glory couldn't remember her mother ever truly smiling over anything. She was a woman who was constantly calculating everything so that she could come out the one on top. There was no time for actual smiles when you lived like that.

"If by things between us you mean a lot of hot air and paperwork, than they are going spectacularly." Glory chimed, sarcastically.

Helena snorted, very unlike her to make such undignified sounds, "Sweetheart, anyone with two working eyes could see that Arden Fox has a big one for you. You two aren't fooling anyone with that only business partners shit." Glory's cheeks heated at her mother words and she ducked her head down a bit. She wasn't even drunk yet and she already was saying crass things to her.

"I mean I don't blame you for trying to keep things low profile. The media can be awful, plus they never take flattering pictures." She added looking toward Glory as if to say she could stand to loss a couple of pounds.

Glory bit the inside of her cheek in anger, "I didn't invite you here to talk about what is or isn't going on between Mr. Fox and myself. I was more curious about why his mother seems to have it out for me...and why she would claim, "I'm a snake just like my mother"?"

"Rainy Fox is a old witch who doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut. I would ignore anything she has to say." Helena jumped in quickly, eyes sparking with coldness. She clearly didn't like Mrs. Fox and Glory couldn't blame her. The woman had come of as more than a little bit of a bitch, cornering her like she had out of sight of anyone else.

"Uh huh....how about you just be honest with me for once in your life? Sure the woman was bat shit insane but it doesn't mean she was spewing nonsense at me." Glory pressed in irritation as the waitress returned with the extra strong mimosa that her mother had ordered.

The waitress lingered for a moment and Helena glance up at her, "Unless you're going to take my picture or get my autograph you can move along, sweetheart." The words were crisp and snapped coldly. Glory watched the young girl blush wildly before turning and rushing away from the table. No doubt to go cry in a bathroom stall from the sheer embarrassment that her mother had dealt out. Honestly, she could recall moments in her life when she had cried to herself over her mothers little critiques.

"Nice, Helena." Glory's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"What? I don't appreciate people who hover. Good help knows when to linger and when to leave." She shrugged her shoulders. This had obviously been a mistake. Glory shouldn't have even entertained the idea of sitting down with her mother, but the need to know what Mrs. Fox had been talking about had been the truth.

She started to rise up out of her seat, "You know what...this was a bad idea. I'll pay for your drink..." She started to reach back for her purse. Her mother reached across the table and grabbed her wrist, lips pinched together in annoyance.

"Don't get yourself all worked up over nothing. Sit down, before you cause a scene." Helena whispered across the table before she pulled back, glancing toward the couple sitting a few table away from them.

Glory clenched her teeth together, slowly lowering her butt back into the seat, "You going to talk?"

Helena sipped from her straw, leaving behind a dark lipstick stain, "Gloriana, we don't need to pretend that your father and I actually loved each other. He wanted a trophy wife and I wanted to make a name for myself. You're father was a means to an end." She replied coolly as if it was nothing more than a conversation about weather.

Glory clenched her hand into a fist under the table, "So did you sleep with her husband?" This was all she wanted to know.

Her mother's velvet red lips twitched upward into a smug smirk, "Oh I see what this is. You are afraid that you might be more like me than you want to be..." She leaned back in the seat, squinting her eyes against the sun, "Yes, Howard and I had an affair. He was handsome and he had that silver tongue...the one I'm sure he gave to his son."

Glory felt her shoulders sag at the news, "God, that is depressing."

Helena let out a small laugh, "You're so dramatic, Gloriana. It was nothing but a small fling. Half of the city had slept with that man. Sure, he tried to pursue a more constant situation with me but I didn't have time for anyone like that in my life. I barely had time for you and your father. Rainy found out and...well you met the woman."

"Yeah I did, unfortunately." She grumbled in response. Glory didn't know what she was suppose to do with this new information. She had expected that it would change the way she felt about about Arden, that it would take away his edge but it didn't really change anything. It only had helped her to see a fuller picture of who her mother had been and the reality of her parent's sham of a marriage.

She released a sigh, "Why did you and dad even have me? It seems kind of pointless."

Her mother leveled her with an amused gaze, "You might not have been planned Gloriana. Trust me, you father and I had our drunken nights." Glory gave her a disgusted expression she'd heard enough about her mother's sexual exploits to last her an entire lifetime.

"Oh hush." Helena waved off her dramatics, "You're father and I might not see eye to eye on most things but the one thing we agree on is that you were the best thing that we did together. I know we're not the best at expressing that but we do love you Gloriana."

She felt herself heaving a sigh at her words. Helena drove her crazy ninety-nine percent of the time but it was still comforting to hear after everything that she had been going through that she wasn't completely out on her own. she had people that did truly care about me.

"And If you have anymore problems with Rainy you let me know. Mama will take care of it." The dark look in her eyes and the predatory smile on her lips, sent a small shiver of fear down her spine. Her mother could be downright terrifying when she wanted to be.

Glory gave her a nervous smile, "Thanks, mom but I don't think she'll be a problem anymore." She wouldn't be a problem because once she found Arden a new Potential Mrs. Fox she would be completely out of the picture.

Helena's eyes crinkled in the corners as she smiled, a sign this was a real smile, "Mom is it now?"

"Don't get used to it." She remarked in a flat tone but the both of them were still smiling.