Opposing Forces (21 page)

She changed into her pyjamas, tossing her lovely dress into the bin.  She never wanted to be reminded on this hateful evening.  Sitting in bed, she fired up her laptop to check for messages.  It struck her as strange that fate had a way of intervening in life sometimes.  Sitting in her in-box was an email from an agency in Paris; they were headhunting her for an exclusive international company who needed a first class events director.  Without even hesitating, Maisie emailed them back saying she would be delighted to speak with them and to phone her in the morning.  She was keen to put Switzerland and its emotionally challenged men well and truly behind her.

Hubert looked at Jacqueline sprawled across the bed in her underwear with disinterest.  All he could think about was the exquisite body of his ex-wife.  Bettina had looked radiant, her daringly cut dress outlining what she must have been hiding all these years.  There was not a woman at the whole event who could have held a candle to her, old or young. 

“Are you coming to bed any time soon?” Jacqueline whined.

“No. I’m not in the mood,” Hubert grunted. 

“But you’re always in the mood,” she pouted.  “Do you no longer find me appealing?”

Hubert wasn’t listening.  His mind was on running his hand up that wonderful slit in Bettina’s dress and re-acquainting himself with what lay at the top.  Perhaps he should thank Rosselin for making his wife transform from drab to stunning.  He felt an unusual stab of jealousy realising that Rosselin was probably at that moment doing to his wife exactly what he wanted to.  Instead he was stuck with Jacqueline.

“Are you even listening to me?” Jacqueline shrieked.

“For the love of God, will you shut up,” Hubert barked.  “You incessant whining is driving me insane.”

“It’s her, isn’t it?” she retorted angrily.  “I saw the way you eyed up that old bitch.  You’ve got a hard on for your ex-wife.”

“My ex-wife was certainly right when she called you vulgar.  You lack class, Jacqueline,” Hubert yawned, clearly bored with the conversation.

Jacqueline rolled off the bed.  “Don’t you dare talk to me like that, you shrivelled old man.  I can go downstairs anytime I want and pick up any man I want.” She glared at him with her hands on her hips.

“Then do us both a favour and go,” he snapped. 

Her mouth opened and shut several times but nothing came out of it. She grabbed her clothes and stormed into the bathroom, emerging dressed a few minutes later.

“I might finally get to fuck someone who can actually satisfy me,” she hissed before flouncing out the bedroom.

Hubert breathed a sigh of relief when she’d left and poured himself a brandy.  He needed to think up a plan to win his wife back.  He would come up with an excuse to visit Lucerne then take her out to dinner.  Possibly to discuss their children.  After an evening, or perhaps two if she was being stubborn, of him being at his most charming, she would be putty in his hands.  And how those hands wanted to get hold of that delicious curve of her butt.

He let out a frustrated growl.  He had not had any sexual feelings towards Bettina during most of their married life.  So how could she make him feel so horny now? He rubbed his erection, with Jacqueline now gone he would have to take care of matters himself. 

Christmas Day was shaping up to be a fun day. Maisie and Julianne had a large group of friends over for dinner.  The apartment had been decorated beautifully and James had got hold of a huge tree for the living room.  Maisie was feeling positively festive in her flashing antlers that Zara had given her.

James put a Bellini in her hand.  “Some festive spirit for you, Maisie.”

“About bloody time,” she moaned.  “I’ve been dying of thirst in here.”  She had been working in the kitchen for about three hours straight and almost every surface was covered with an array of fabulous food. 

She slipped off to her bedroom for a quick change and was then ready to receive her guests.  Her favourite couple had to be Sabina and Philippe.  She was immensely proud of her match-making skills there; they were ideal for each other.

“I am so thrilled you asked us over, Maisie,” Sabina hugged her.  “I had the duty of spending this morning with my brother and mother. Talk about boring.”

“Your mother is great.  She’s dating a very hot councillor at the moment so she cannot therefore be considered boring.”

Sabina laughed.  “Yes, I suppose you’re right.  She spent most of the time checking her mobile for messages from Pierre.  It just seems so weird.”

“Having your mother use modern technology or her dating?”

“Both, I guess.  And what makes it even more bizarre is that she has a far more active sex life than my brother.”

Maisie giggled. “Yes, that is actually quite wrong.  How come you did not take Philippe with you?”

Sabina had to bite her lip. “My family are rather stiff. I’m not sure how they would react to me dating a police officer. We spent the morning with our respective families and now finally get time together.”

“Are you at least spending New Year together?”

“Yes. He’s taking me to Neuchatel to meet his family.”  She shuffled awkwardly.  “I’m really nervous about meeting them, Maisie.  What if they don’t like me?”

“Oh Sabina, my dear,” Maisie hugged her. “The only thing they could dislike about you is that you are so perfect for Philippe.”

“You think so?”

“Definitely.”

“And what about you. Anyone special?” 

“No-one. That’s how I like my life, uncomplicated.”  If only it were.

Bettina was genuinely shocked to receive a text from Hubert.  It was weird enough he had arranged for the most beautiful bouquet of flowers to be delivered for her at Steffen’s house, but now he had asked if he could take her for dinner when he was visiting a colleague in Lucerne before New Year.

She was in a real dilemma.  Her first thought was to tell him where to go and where to put his flowers.  But then, after thirty five years of marriage, wasn’t that being a bit childish.  He said he wanted to discuss the children, but they were all fully grown and he should be talking direct to them.

Pierre laughed when she told him.  “I think you’ll find he’s realised the error of his ways, my dear.  I told you he looked positively envious at the Fontainbleu affair.  I wager you a dinner he’s after a reconciliation.”
 

It was Bettina’s turn to laugh.  “Don’t be silly.  He likes young girls, remember?”

“He did until he saw his wife as everyone else has done for years.”

“Flatterer,” she giggled.  “But you’re still wrong.”
 

“Well, you’re going to have to meet him for dinner just we can see who is right.”

“You’re happy for me to have dinner with him?”

“I don’t own you, Bettina.  Our relationship is based on trust. Now what time are you due back from Lausanne?  I want to give you your present.”

“I like presents,” she purred. 

“How was your lunch?”

“Tiring,” she sighed.  “Sabina was obviously missing her boyfriend, even though they were meeting up tonight at Maisie’s.  And Steffen scowled heavily every time Sabina mentioned her name.  Your usual happy family affair.”

“Hey, just because you’re a Grundberg does not give you the God given right to a stress and fight free Christmas. You can suffer like the rest of us mortals.”

“I will make you pay heavily for that slur, Councillor,” Bettina grunted.

“I do hope so, Madame Laroque,” he chuckled.

Steffen stared for the longest time at the fireplace, the flicking orange flames mesmerising him.  For the first time in his memory, he felt alone.  His mother and Sabina were with their respective partners and he had no-one to share his evening with.  It made him feel empty inside.

He suddenly wanted to be curled up with Maisie on his sofa, to talk non-stop to her, to hold her.  She truly was his Christmas wish.  It was his stubbornness that had stopped him pursuing their relationship, but at what price? Was becoming Police Commissioner really worth this loneliness?  At the moment he wasn’t so sure.  

Maisie had turned his well-structured life upside down.  He loved her sarcasm, her wit, even her verbal sparring.  After her, any other woman was just boring.  He shut his eyes and recalled every perfect inch of her.  Since when had she become perfect?  The bloody woman was the bane of his life.  He let out a deep sigh and poured himself another drink. Tonight he would wallow in his memories, tomorrow he would move on.

The interview at La Maison Rouge had been long and tough; Maisie had had a panel of interviewers to impress.  Wearing her new Chanel suit, her Christmas present to herself, she felt empowered and answered all their questions with relative ease.  She had given them a very polished presentation of what she could bring to the company if they hired her and what her expectations would be.  Her only stumbling block had come when they asked her why she was keen to leave her current job.  She loved working at Chateau Villette, it was just running into a rather high profile Swiss male that she didn’t like.  She gave them some fluff about wanting to move back to Paris, that she missed the big city lights.  They seemed to buy it.

Maisie walked along the banks of the Seine to clear her head after the interview; it was freezing cold and damp, her thick coat was wrapped tight around her.  A year ago her life had been simple and uncomplicated.  Since her first arrest back in May, it had become a total mess.  And what really got under her skin the most was how just one night with Steffen could leave her so messed up. 

She wondered how he felt about that night.  He’d said he wanted to talk about it when she’d chewed his head off at the Fontainbleu.  She’d automatically assumed he wanted to confirm it was just a one-night stand, after all she’d seen no emotion from him when they’d met to sign the legal documents.  But what if she had been wrong?  She let out a frustrated growl. No, she was just clutching at straws.  Steffen was the epitome of the cold, aloof Swiss male. 

She clearly had been in shock when she slept with him and she had imagined what had passed between them.  No-one could be that passionate in bed and leave no trace of any emotion behind.  It was time to move, she told herself sternly. She’d wasted enough time hoping Steffen would come around, she needed a new challenge to look forward to, and Paris could be it.  A new city, a new job and a new life was on her agenda for the New Year.

Bettina had agreed to meet Hubert at the restaurant, she did not want him to see her house.   She had spent an age deciding what to wear.  She didn’t want to do frumpy or vampy, she needed a happy medium.  And knowing which restaurant they were going to helped with the dress code. 

La Maison du Soleil was one of the best in Lucerne, so Bettina chose an off the shoulder, tight fitting, dark green dress that ended just above the ankle.  She made sure she arrived a couple of minutes late; that was Pierre’s bad influence.  As the Maître ’D took her coat, she could see Hubert seated across the room.  He rose as soon as she neared.

“You look stunning,” he kissed her hand before holding out her chair for her. 

“Thank you.  I was surprised to hear you were in Lucerne.  What brings you down this way?”  She resisted the urge to comment on the absence of a young twenty year old stuck to his side.

“I was discussing a new business venture with a possible investor.”  He poured her some champagne.  “Did you see the children on Christmas Day?”

“Yes, although they scarcely count as children anymore.”

“How is Sabina’s course going?” He couldn’t for the life of him recall what the silly girl was doing.

“Her university degree is going well,” Bettina responded. 

“And you, my dear.  Are you happy in your new house?”

“Very,” she responded. 

“Do you visit Sabina often?”

“I spend half my time in Lausanne with Pierre, if that is what you’re subtly trying to ask.”

He gave a sheepish smile.  “Am I that transparent?”

“Yes.”

“And how does Steffen deal with that? Surely it must harm his career aspirations.”

“How so?” Bettina raised an eyebrow.

“There were rumours surrounding his wife’s death. That perhaps Rosselin helped nature take its course a little quicker.”

Bettina flapped her hand.  “Utter nonsense.  And even if that were the case, who can blame him for wanting to end his wife’s suffering. “

The waiter arrived to take their order. 

“So what have you done with Josephine tonight?” Bettina could not resist asking.  She’d held off long enough.

“It’s Jacqueline. And I ended our relationship.”

“Poor girl.  I hope she was not too upset.”

“She’ll get over it I’m sure,” he responded smoothly.

“And have you found a replacement?”

“A replacement what?”

“Bed companion.”
 

“No. I’ve come to realise I want more than just sex.”

“Really?” Bettina was shocked at his revelation.

“Yes.  I won’t lie, it is flattering having young women eager to fall into bed with me but I want a woman with brains as well.  And the experience of age.”

“I wish you luck in your search,” she responded brightly.  Dear God, she hoped Pierre wasn’t right.

“I believe the woman I truly want was right under my nose all along.” His eyes were fixed on her.

“Ah, it is someone you work with?” Bettina was being deliberately obtuse.  “Is she in your office or a political colleague?”

The look of frustration on his face almost made Bettina laugh. 

“No, she is…”

“Let me guess,” Bettina continued quickly.  “The wife of one of your friends?”

“No.” He held up his hand before she could speak again. “Damn it woman, it’s you.”

“Me?” Bettina laughed lightly.  “Stop with your teasing, Hubert.  You said so yourself, you’ve never found me attractive.”

“Because I was stupid enough never to have looked,” he admitted with some degree of honesty.

“So why now?”

“For the first time ever I saw you as just you.  Not the straight-laced wife of a politician or a mother.  I saw you.  And it knocked me for six.”

“I’m flattered, I have to say.  But in the thirty-six years it took you to realise that, I’ve moved on.  I’m in a relationship currently but if that does ever finish, I’ll let you know.”  She glanced at the waiter who appeared laden with plates.  “Wonderful, the food is here. I’m starving.”  She took a bite of her monkfish with its shellfish sauce, it tasted heavenly.  “Have you seen much of Senator Bloomberg recently?”

“Not since Steffen arrested his son, no.” Hubert was clearly not impressed that she had dismissed his advances so effortlessly.

“The kid caused an accident and was obviously drunk.”  Not to mentioned, he injured Maisie.  Sabina had told her all about that.

“He was not only a Senator’s son, but a friend of mine too.”

“So that gives the child the right to break the law.  He could have killed the occupant of the car he ran in to.”

“Steffen could have been more lenient.”

“He’s the Chief of Police, he cannot give special dispensation to people he knows.  How is Von Gruber?”

“Charles is disappointed Sabina has left. I understand he might be planning a trip to Lausanne to see if he can persuade her to return to Zurich.”
 

“You can tell him it will be a wasted trip.  Apart from the fact she is enrolled in University and enjoying it, she is currently in a steady and very happy relationship.”

Hubert sat up.  He might not care for the girl, but she was his daughter and he hoped she was not disgracing the family name.  “And who exactly is my daughter running around with?”

“To be honest she hasn’t confided too much in me.  I just know she is rather fond of him.”

“I imagine he is rather fond of her bank balance,” Hubert snorted.

“She goes by the name Laroque, so he will have no idea of her trust fund.”

“What of Heinrich. Is he still alive?”

“Yes, very much so.  He skyped me yesterday from Australia.  He’s having the time of his life.”

Huber t fell quiet for a moment, staring at his champagne glass.  “I do envy you, Bettina.  You seem to be the one the children turn to.”

“Probably because I am their mother and was always there for them, whether they needed help with their homework or advice on how to handle a problem. I was the one constant in their lives.”

He reached over suddenly and rested his hand on hers.  “Is there a chance for me, Bettina?”

“To be a father to your children?  They’re fully grown, but I’m sure they’d be happy to have some sort of contact with you.”
 

“No. I meant for us.”

“Us?” she sounded almost horrified.

“Yes.”

“What exactly is it you’re after?  One night in the sack or your wife reinstated at your side?”

“I thought perhaps we could start with the sex then work up to renewing our vows if all goes well.”

“I’m already with someone and the sex is terrific. Why would I jeopardise that for a man who, quite frankly, couldn’t keep it in his trousers when we were married.”  She dabbed her mouth with the starched linen napkin. 

“Will you at least think about it?  I’m aware I did spring my interest on you rather suddenly.”

“Dinner has been lovely, Hubert. But I think we should leave it there before we have a major argument.”  She stood up, he immediately followed suit.

“Can I take you out again?”

Bettina gave him a smile in response. “Take care of yourself.”

She swept from the room with grace but she was steaming inside.  The effrontery of the bloody man, thinking she would jump at the chance to sleep with him.  She phoned Pierre as soon as she got back to her house, still hissing and spitting.

“You were right, damn it,” she shuddered.

“That Hubert wanted a reconciliation?”

“Yes.  But first he was after plenty of sex.” She let out a high pitched shriek.  “I am more outraged by the fact the thought I would agree even though he knew I was in a relationship with you.”

“Such is your attraction, Madame Laroque, you make men do crazy things. Offer crazy things.”

“I had to leave before I did something rash like stab him with a fork.”

Pierre laughed.  “You should feel empowered.  He now wants what he can’t have.  And I can, which makes me feel on top of the world.”  His voice dropped very low.  “What time am I going to see you tomorrow.  All this talk of sex is getting me riled right up.”
 

“You, Councillor, are shameless.”