Audrey held the phone to her ear and rolled her eyes as Ken rambled on and on, complaining bitterly about her offer--a good offer that would allow him to keep the house they had shared for so many years--complete with almost ninety percent of the furnishings. He said he felt her asking price of five hundred thousand dollars was much too exorbitant and counteroffered two hundred thousand.
She had been trying to keep her demeanor civil, even pleasant. But when she could hear the 'other' woman, Candy, murmuring encouragements to him in the background, her exasperation level began to reach critical mass, and she shut down his whiney rhetoric.
"Listen to me, you son of a bitch," she said spat vehemently, "I've actually been trying to do you a favor. That house is worth WELL over a million, and you fucking know it. My offer to you is MORE than reasonable--even generous."
When he interrupted her to complain further--Candy's annoying voice chiming in as well, she lost all patience.
"Listen to me, KENNY," she shouted, using Candy's personal little nickname for him, "Here's the bottom line--You can tell Candy to shut the fuck up--and then YOU can shut the fuck up and take my offer--Do THAT and you'll keep the house with most of the furnishings intact, or pay well over a million dollars when I list it--with NO furnishings. Your call, KENNY."
She listened for a moment longer and smiled as his silence indicated he realized his less-than-stellar position. He finally relented, accepting her terms. "Okay, Audrey," he said, his voice somewhat more contrite, "I'll have the money transferred to your account by the end of the week."
"Excellent choice," she returned, "I'll have my things boxed up and stored. The moment I see the transfer of money, I'll have the deed transferred into your name and have my lawyer deliver the new keys to your lawyer... and you can move back into the house."
She ended the call moments later and turned to Andrew, who smiled and nodded approvingly. "Well done," he said with a look of astonishment. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
"Yes, but knowing Ken as I do... he'll want me out of the house immediately. I'll need to find a place in Las Vegas as soon as possible. And not just for me, Jessie and Jo will need to relocate as well."
"I may have yet another solution," said Andrew with a smile. "The guest suite at the Stratosphere is yours for as long as you need it. That will at least give you the luxury of time to look around for a place of your own without stressing about doing it as quickly as possible. And, don't worry about Jessie and Jo, they will each have a room there as well. I'll have that set up right away."
She looked at him and shook her head, "My God, Andrew... You've been so good about all of this... I don't know how I can even begin to thank you."
Andrew laughed, "I believe you've thanked me more than enough already last night... and three times too."
She smacked his arm playfully and kissed him. "I wonder if there's time for another thank you before we get there?" she teased, sliding her hand along his thigh.
Andrew smiled and reached for her just as the pilot of his executive jet announced they were on approach to LAX and to fasten seat belts.
"Oh, well," he said, "Maybe next time on the way home."
Audrey kissed him and moved her hand to stroke the front of his pants gently.
"Yes," said Andrew, flinching at her intimate touch with a broad smile, "Definitely next time."
She had already clarified to him how she, Jessie, and Jo, all shared the master bedroom at her house, causing him to smile and shake his head in wonder. Andrew had then politely suggested that perhaps it might be somewhat less complicated if the two of them stayed in a hotel room together while he was in town and, knowing that Jessie and Jo would be perfectly supportive of her relationship with Andrew, Audrey thought that to be a good solution.
Audrey marveled at the length of the flight, knowing she would arrive home several hours before Jessie and Jo would be expecting her.
Upon landing, Andrew had a vehicle waiting--complete with a driver. Soon they were whisked away to her house in the west end of the city.
She unlocked the door and they stepped inside. All was silent, she looked at Andrew and shrugged, "They're probably still asleep," she said softly, "They're usually up rehearsing until late at night."
They both smiled as the sounds of Jessie and Jo's lovemaking became suddenly audible from the bedroom at the top of the stairs--Jo was exceptionally vocal in her pleasure that morning.
"Come on in," she said with a smile, "I'll put coffee on for us."
Once the coffee was started, she guided him through the ground floor of the house. Andrew nodded appreciatively at her choice of decor and furnishings. "Very nice," he said with a smile. "I like your taste very much."
Passing the stairway... and hearing no sounds of lovemaking from above, Audrey called out, "Hey, guys, I'm home. Come down as soon as you're ready."
Andrew stood at the kitchen sink washing his hands while Audrey set the table with bagels and coffee mugs.
Jo burst into the kitchen with a broad smile and rushed into Audrey's arms. "I'm so glad you're home," she said, wrapping her arms, as well as her legs, around Audrey as she kissed her lovingly.
When Andrew turned off the water, Jo turned her head at the sound and gasped to see Andrew Carmichael, the CEO of the Stratosphere, smiling at her from across the kitchen as he wiped his hands on a dish towel.
"OH!" she exclaimed, quickly extricating herself from Audrey's embrace. "Mr. Carmichael... I didn't... didn't know you were here." She busily ran her hands through her hair, cringing at her lack of makeup.
"Good morning, Jo," said Andrew, crossing the kitchen to embrace her, kissing her affectionately on her forehead. "And may I just say, you're even lovelier in the morning without makeup as you are on the stage."
Jo blushed highly, casting a meaningful sidelong glance at Audrey, "You could have warned us you were bringing Mr. Carmichael home with you," she said.
"Don't blame Audrey," said Andrew with a broad smile, "It's my fault entirely. I asked her to do it this way... just so I could see the look of surprise on your face. And... please let's cut out all the Mister bullshit, okay? I'd like it if you would call me Andrew."
Jessie entered at that moment, his eyes widening in surprise to see a stranger in the kitchen.
"Jessie... this is Andrew Carmichael," said Audrey with a smile.
They shook hands cordially, "You too, Jessie... please call me Andrew," he said.
