Fragile Crystal: Rubies and Rivalries (The Crystal Fragments Trilogy) (17 page)

And messy it was. When last she had been here, Kris had perched precariously among the old magazines and unclean cups, her face as prim and pert as a Calvinist preacher in a brothel. But now she thought of her own studio in Alfama and was much more forgiving. Because Kris’s life had for so long teetered on the edge of chaos and collapse, she had banished the trappings of mess and untidiness to a degree that, she now realised, itself bordered on psychopathology. Not that she particularly approved of just how untidy Anne’s flat was, but she realised now more than ever how a little chaos was needed to create. It helped, however, if that chaos operated within a firmer stability. That was what she thought she was achieving with Daniel, which was why the business with Maria had left her so disconcerted.

Anne returned through with a cup and this time Kris did not look at it but took a gulp of coffee. It was a cup of friendship—that was how it was offered and how Kris wished to accept it.

“So, what’s he like?” Anne asked, her eyes glittering with excitement. That was it, she was in full gossip mode as far as Kris could see.

“How are things with Andrew?” Kris asked by way of reply. She could not resist a smile as her friend waved a hand and almost burst at the question.

“You know how he is. Fine, fine, fine. We’re trying for a baby, actually, but that’s not what I want to talk about today.”

“Oh, really?” Kris asked, lowering her cup and staring at her friend. She didn’t know how she felt about that: at college, Anne had been one of those most set against motherhood, as indeed was Kris herself. The pram in the hallway was the enemy of creativity and all that, as they’d all told themselves. Suddenly, however, she realised that perhaps there were still things in Anne’s life that could make her feel a little jealous.

“Stop trying to change the subject. What’s he like?”

“What do you expect me to tell you? He’s wonderful, of course.”

Anne’s expression was exasperated. “Gee, thanks. Hold the front page. New man in Kris Avelar’s life is wonderful. Actually, this is you we’re talking about, so I guess that is news. Come on, Kris… Dish a bit more of the dirt. How rich is he?”

“I don’t actually know. Rich. Very rich. Kind of astronomical, I guess, but I don’t ask about it.”

Anne was sceptical about this, but let it pass. “And he bought you a place in Lisbon?”

Kris was about to say something about this, that the reality was more complex, but to do so would involve her revealing more about her relationship with Daniel than she really wanted. It was easier to tell a half-truth. “Yes,” she replied, sipping her coffee.

“You have got it made, girl. I wish Andrew would buy
me
a place in Portugal.”

“I’m sure he will one day, if you ask him nicely. After the… baby, perhaps. I mean, you’re not doing badly, the two of you.”

Anne screwed up her mouth. “No, not bad, I guess, but we’re not in the same league as you.” She paused and then her eyes glittered. “What’s he like in the sack?”

Kris almost spat out her coffee as she laughed. “Fucking hell, girl. You’re blushing!” Anne picked up a cushion and playfully batted Kris across the arm, almost making her spill the rest of her drink. “You bitch! He’s rich, handsome—well, okay, not conventional, but I know you, you’ll find him better looking than most. And he’s a demon in bed is he?”

Kris could not resist this. She had not really had the chance to talk about Daniel to anyone—not in the sense of full-on, unrestricted gossip. That night with Maria hadn’t counted because she had been on her guard when they were speaking, and when her barriers had finally come down it was in the wrong way so that everything soured.

“He’s… fucking amazing,” she confided at last. “Not least of it, he’s so… big! You wouldn’t believe it!”

“How big?”

Kris gestured with her hands and Anne hit her again with the cushion. “Fuck off! That’s one of those fake fish you’re measuring, you know, the one that got away.” Anne knew Kris well enough not to hide the envious glances on her face, but also they were close enough as friends for a genuine look of pleasure for her friend’s happiness to be evident in her eyes. “And does he do it right for you?”

Kris blushed again. “I guess I found out there are… things I never realised I liked doing before.”

At this, Anne howled with laughter and then pulled up closer. “Do tell, do tell! You’re not leaving here till you do.”

Her face red all the time, but becoming more animated as she spoke, Kris told some of the things that she and Daniel had done together. Anne was spellbound, jealous and pleased, and after a while she hugged her friend—having semi-punched her at regular intervals.

By the time Kris left, her heart was light inside her and her steps were free of care and easygoing. She had not realised how much she had needed that—not confession, with all the dark and depressing undertones of a bondage of the soul that lay beneath it, but simple gossip, sharing, friendship. She had a slight feeling of dread as she turned on her mobile phone, but other than a text from Daniel saying that he would be home early, there was nothing else. That was a good thing.

When she returned to Chelsea, however, and exited the lift that led to the apartment, things did not suddenly appear so rosy. Daniel was already home and from the sound of rising voices in the room it did not appear that all was harmony here. Her hackles rose as she recognised the voice of Felix Coltraine, and for a moment she considered turning back and entering the elevator again.

She paused before going to the source of the noises.

“You can’t carry on like this, Daniel. You’re making too many fucking stupid decisions. Just because you had a good streak in the past doesn’t mean it can carry on forever. We’re fucking haemorrhaging, do you understand? You spend all your time with that tart and Stone Enterprises is suffering as a result.”

“Spend all my... fuck you, Felix. I hammered away to get that deal in New York. Day and fucking night, and you know it. And where were you? Swanning around in your fucking yacht.”

“Entertaining Wei was what I was doing. Yes, New York might buy us time, but it’s in Shanghai that you’re needed. We’re trying to run a business. What part of that don’t you understand?”

“And I thought you were handling the Shanghai end so well.” The sarcasm in Daniel’s voice was venomous. “You know what I think about that. We could get burnt much more than ever before.”

Felix paused. When he spoke again, his tone was more conciliatory. “Okay, so there’s a risk. Yes, yes... but, fuck it, Daniel... You can’t just go off running to Portugal when things get difficult. If you must spend time around that tart, at least bring her with—”

Kris had had enough of this and Felix stopped when he saw her enter the living area where both men were seated. She knew that had it just been her alone he would have done nothing to hide the contempt he felt for her, but with Daniel there he had to be much more two-faced. As she slowly walked across to near where Daniel was seated, her lover gave a contemptuous snort towards Felix and lifted a hand, angry but also possessive, towards her. As she extended her own fingers, he gripped them hard and she allowed herself to be pulled down onto the sofa beside him. His arm, when he placed it around her, was both protective and assertive.
She’s mine
. Kris was not entirely certain how she felt about this: part of her was thrilled, but another part felt uneasy.

Felix shook his head and looked down at the floor. Whatever argument they had engaged in was now lost for him, though watching him Kris had the sense that, like Daniel, he was not one to take defeat in a battle as the end of the war.

Ignoring him for a moment, Daniel turned to her. His eyes were glaring, angry, but he forced a smile and asked: “And how was your day, dear?”

“Good, thank you. I was doing tarty things with friends.” She looked at Felix as she spoke.

He raised his head and shook it. “I overstepped the mark, I admit it. I’m sorry.” Anne had never had anyone apologise to her in a way that sounded so unapologetic.

“Yes, you did.” Daniel’s jaw was clenched after he had spoken, and his words were almost forced out.

“What’s happened, Daniel?” Felix had obviously decided to ignore Kris, his gaze fixed entirely on Daniel. “You and I always made a point about speaking openly about everything. Nothing was to come between us and the business. Nothing. Ever.”

“You’re problem, Felix, is that you just think that everyone who you can’t use is worthless.” Daniel’s voice was calm, but in that calmness Kris could sense his fury.

“And I wonder where I picked up that trait?” Felix’s scorn was palpable. Kris wanted to speak, but she didn’t know what to say in this battle of wills between the two men.

“Not from me. No, Felix. I can be a cunt, I know it. Fuck it, I’m proud of it. But it’s
never
been all of me. This isn’t the first time for me, remember that.” Kris’s heart shot into her mouth when he said this, but then she told herself: He means Karen. It’s Karen he’s talking about.

Shaking his head, Felix stood up. He would make a tactical withdrawal, but it would be no more than that, Kris realised. She had changed the balance of the engagement, but Felix would be sure to engage his partner on territory more advantageous to himself next time. He looked at the two of them, his final words addressed to Kris. As he looked at her, even with Daniel beside her the coldness in his eyes made something shrivel up inside her.

“I get that you make him feel good,” he told her, “but this isn’t just about how Daniel feels. I’ve covered for him before, when he sneaks off for a month at a time, but this is getting past a joke. If he can’t do without you, so be it. But if you have any feelings for him at all, then make sure you stay with him and get him to where he needs to be.” Without even looking towards Daniel, he turned on his heel and walked away towards the elevator.

“Yeah, Felix. Fuck you!” Daniel shouted after him, his arm clenching Kris’s shoulders so tight that he hurt her for a minute. Felix did not even look back at them, simply raising a single finger as he flipped an insulting gesture.

“Fuck him. Fuck
him
!” Daniel stood immediately once they heard the elevator doors open and began to pace backwards and forwards, caged in his own apartment.

“What was that all about?” Kris asked, carefully. She could feel Daniel’s mood like a wave of hatred emanating in an aura from his body. Indeed, when he looked towards her after she had asked the question his eyes were blazing at her. But only for a moment. The fire inside them died and he raised his hands to his face, rubbing at his eyelids.

“We’ve had a disagreement, that’s all. Business matters. Nothing important in the end.”

“It sounded important, at least Felix seemed to think so. But... why here?”

Daniel gave a half smile. “He’s been trying to arrange this for the past week, but I’ve not wanted to talk to him. We’re having some... disagreements about what’s best for Stone Enterprises. He got sick of waiting for me, I guess, so came here.”

“I’m sorry if I caused any problems.” Kris’s voice was small, tenderly probing the difficulties she felt all around her. Daniel simply scowled at this, however.

“That was low of him,” he growled. “That was fucking low. And a lie, as well. We’d have had this argument even if you weren’t here—even if I’d never met you. It’s not about that. He’s just grasping around for ways to damage me.”

“
Damage
you? Why the hell would he want to do that?”

Daniel gave a wolfish smile. “It’s just office politics. You know what? Fuck this—fuck all of it. I was home early today because I have a surprise for you. Fuck Felix, fuck his stupid arguments, and fuck Stone Enterprises. I left something, on the side in the bedroom. Go on, go and get it.”

Kris felt nervous as she went through into the bedroom. The atmosphere was wrong, but nonetheless she did as she was told and Daniel followed her, pausing in the doorway.

There was an envelope on her side of the bed. Written on it in Daniel’s handwriting were two words.
Happy Birthday
.

When she opened it, she saw two tickets for flights to Nice and then onto Monaco, and reservations for a hotel for four nights. Another birthday gift.

“I’ve never been to Monaco,” she said. Nor had she ever mentioned it, but now was not the time to say that.

“I know. I thought it would be a treat. Happy birthday, darling,” he said, his voice warm, the anger gone now as he came behind her and hugged her. “I love you, very much you know.”

She turned and looked up at him. The tics that had inflicted themselves upon his face only moments before were gone now, and a warmth emanated from his eyes. “I love you too,” she said, then pressed her face into his chest.

Chapter Fifteen

The plane had landed in Nice just after noon and from there they had taken a helicopter to Monaco. With a certain glee, Kris told Daniel that it was the first time she had ever been in a helicopter, a fact that made him laugh. So many of the things that he took for granted were surprises to her, but she was determined to enjoy them. She was also glad at his laughter: since the argument with Felix he had often been in a dark mood.

They had left London on a somewhat dreary December day but here, nestled alongside the Mediterranean, the sky was clear and bright. The principality was another surprise, being both smaller and larger than she expected. The entire length of it could not have been much further than from Highgate to Islington, but it seemed as though every square metre of the city was built up into the sky, a panoply of high rise blocks against the squat, low mountain scattered with green behind it and buildings even extending out into the blue harbour where yachts were parked in orderly rows.

“It looks like something out of a Ballard novel.”

“A what?” Daniel asked her.

“J. G. Ballard. My dad liked him. I remember reading a book when I was younger, about how all these high rise cities would stretch out across the Med, and people would live their days in idyllic ease.”