Unstuck (45 page)

“Breathe,” I said as I tried to straighten his tie. It was the day of the grand opening and he couldn’t stay still for more than 5 seconds.

“I can’t,” he said while shaking his hands.

“Everything is going to be perfect, Patrick,” I said putting my hands on his shoulders. He smiled at me and put his hands on my waist.

“I know,” he gave me a quick kiss on the lips “this is pure excitement,” he grinned and this time I kissed him back.

“I am so proud of you, Patrick,” I said to him and he smiled the fucking smile. I felt my knees shaking and I had to hold on to him because I knew my legs were trying to tell me something.

“It’s because of you that this is possible,” he smiled and hugged me. We stayed there hugging for a while trying to pass some telepathic message to each other until we felt it was enough and went directly to the MBU building.

When we were there everything was set already, there were a lot of press and all the people that were invited. I could see Stacy and Nick and Regina with Sam and Jameson in some kind of formal attire that included a worn jacket and a scarf and Stuart and Patrick’s parents. They were all there.

“Ready,” I asked Patrick and he was smiling. He looked gorgeous in his navy blue suit, with matching vest, white shirt and green tie. He nodded and I nodded back. I checked my make up on my compact and tried to smooth my black pencil skirt, double check my black tights and checked that I had all my buttons buttoned in my green blazer. Everything seemed great so Patrick stepped out of the car and turned to reach out for my hand to help me out of the car. We were attending this event as a couple, which meant I was not his assistant for the day. I know it sounds weird and crazy but we had managed to make this work.

“Patrick, “there were screams from the paparazzi but Patrick only stopped to talk to the press that had been invited to the event. There were a few questions about us but he managed to dodge them in a very professional manner and we went on.

He took advantage of this event and never let go of my hand for more than 10 seconds. He seemed really excited to be able to hold my hand in public and I had to admit, at that very moment, that I felt especial knowing that I was with Patrick Maynard and that very few people really knew who he was. I smiled.

“You are smiling,” he said in my ear as we walked to the podium that was installed for a very quick speech before he could cut the red ribbon.

“I’m happy,” I said looking at him.

“No, you are smiling your secretive smile,” he said stopping and looking at me. He didn’t care that everyone stopped right behind us just because he wanted to know what made me smile. I sighed.

“I know you. That is what I am smiling about,” If comments like this were the ones that brought out the kind of smile that I witnessed the moment I said that I was going to make sure to say more of whatever it was made him smile the way that he did.

He walked and stood behind the podium I stayed among the guests next to his mom and sister. He was so happy and that made my heart feel happy. I looked around and realized that I had so much but that made me so vulnerable too. Patrick talked; he talked about education, about the importance of it, about a dream he had and about the chance of making that dream a reality. He looked at me as he said “Thank you, Thank you for being here, for being part of this,” I wanted to let the world that it was me who he was looking at. I wanted to jump up and down with my hand in the air saying “me, me, me.” I felt like a schoolgirl.

It was the moment where he had to cut the ribbon and he motioned for me to go next to him.

“I am cutting this but in reality it should be the two of us,” he said looking at me and holding both my hands.

“It’s your project, Patrick, I am just here for the ride,” I smiled and felt that I could cry but I was not about to become a cliché so I swallowed back the lump in my throat and he finally cut the ribbon. There were pictures, a lot, and people walking over to say congratulations before going into the building for a quick tour that we had put together. It was all real quick because the real party was supposed to be held that night at the hotel. People went in, got to know the offices and what the first course was about. They got to experience firsthand what it felt to be an MBU student by accessing to an account to the platform that was set up in a computer in a room for anyone who wanted to see it.

“He is happy,” said Brian standing next to me as we saw people talking to him and people in line to test the platform.

“I know,” I nodded.

“You are happy,” said Brian looking at me.

“I am happy that he is happy,” I looked at him.

“What’s that?” he asked with curiosity.

“What exactly?” I asked confused.

“When someone is happy that the other person is happy. When you do everything to make the other person’s dreams come true. How do you call it, Lucy?” Brian was smiling.

“I know what you are doing, Brian,” I said looking ahead and waving to the people I knew.

“Well, if you do, then you are taking an awful lot to let him know,” said Brian smiling at me as if he hadn’t just told me that I was hiding my feelings for Patrick.

“Lucy,” I heard Regina’s voice and I relaxed looking at her and smiling. “How are you, dear?” she asked hugging me.

“Great,” I said putting my hands on her shoulders “How are you Sam?” I asked and he smiled. He was not a man of many words.

“This is amazing!! I am so happy for you guys,” she said as Brian turned to look at me and grinned.

“It was all Patrick, Regina,” I smiled.

“It wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for you, Lucy,” she said with a tenderness that made me want to hug her. Brian was standing right behind her and widened his eyes to acknowledge her comment and I completely ignored him.

The offices tour and platform testing was over soon and we were back at the apartment where we ate crab salad, that was nowhere near Miranda’s and I made sure to let her know in a text, and then we were about to get ready for the cocktail party.

“I want to fall asleep and wake up next winter,” I said laying in the bed while Patrick began to undress himself.

“I know but the hard part will be over soon and we will be able to focus on the part that we like,” he said taking off his shoes.

“I need to take a bath,” I said as I walked to the bathroom to start the water in the tub and back to the room to lay my dress for the night on the bed. Patrick grabbed my hand and kissed it as he went to turn on the TV and I went to the bathroom. Once I got in the tub I realized how at ease we were with each other like getting ready, together in the same room was something we did every day for the past 2 years. I sighed and pushed those thoughts away because tonight I needed to be on point for the cocktail. After a while Patrick went in to let me know that it was time for me to step out of the tub because we didn’t want to be late.

I got out and put on a robe and then sat on the bed to do my makeup and put my hair up in bun with straight bangs. I stepped into the dress I’d chosen that was a Victoria’s Secret black lace dress with an open back and some simple but beautiful Louboutin pumps and I was ready.

“Astounding as ever,” said Patrick coming out of the walk in closet wearing a black suit with a black bow tie and white shirt. I walked over to him and raised one leg of his pants and checked his socks. I shook my head when I realized he was wearing blue socks and went to get his solid black socks. Once he changed them we left for the party.

It was a beautiful black and white set up with lounge couches and high chairs. The preparation for this event was not in my hands; Stuart had come forward and asked Patrick to let him and his team plan the cocktail so when I got there I was impressed. So elegant and festive at the same time.

“Thank you so much, Stuart,” I said to him once I got the opportunity to talk to him.

“I know this means a lot to him,” he said looking at his big brother. For the first time I could clearly see Stuart looking at Patrick with his younger brother eyes and it was humbling.

“It does,” I nodded and smiled. Wide. These were things why I was alive. I decided.

The night went by pretty quick Patrick and I had to go from one person to another thanking them for coming to the party and toasting for a successful business. Patrick managed to get some people interested in the project and made sure to arrange meetings with them for the following weeks. The assistant in me couldn’t help but take note on those meetings at least mentally. I made sure that I stuck to one glass of champagne the whole night so I wouldn’t find myself drunk at some point.

People came and went and we just stood there saying hellos and goodbyes. When everyone had left and only Patrick, Brian and I were left, we sat on a lounge couch.

“I want to propose a toast,” I said taking my champagne glass and they both grabbed theirs.

“I want to make a toast to fish dying,” I smiled and finally let a tear come out “I want to make a toast to finding friends and a toast to finding someone to share what it’s important in life,” I said and both Patrick and Brian seemed touched.

“Cheers,” the three of us said and Patrick got up to hug me.

“I’m ready to go, guys,” said Brian getting up and we did the same.

“Yes, please,” I said taking of my shoes “I can’t stand any longer,”  Patrick put his hands under my legs to carry me.

“Your wishes are my commands,” he said and I laughed.

“I didn’t wish for you to carry me,” I said as the three of us left the hotel and went to wait for the valet to bring our cars.

“I’ll see you guys next week,” said Brian getting in his cars and we both waved at him.

“In you go,” said Patrick putting me inside the limo and then he got in “everything went perfectly,” he said as the limo began moving and he grabbed one of my feet and began massaging it. I was sure I had rolled my eyes because it felt good.

“I’m starving, though,” I said smiling and Patrick smiled back.

“We can eat at home,” he said and I nodded. When we got to the apartment he carried me inside and all through the elevator ride. I couldn’t help but giggle. I wasn’t drunk or maybe I was drunk on satisfaction, pride and happiness.

“Home,” said Patrick once we got to the bedroom and threw me on the bed “Aaahhh, this is what I was talking about,” I said cuddling in the bed. I was so damn tired.

“No, no, don’t even try to go to sleep,” said Patrick jumping on the bed and rolling on top of me. I smiled at him and put my arms around his neck

“I’m proud of you,” I said getting really serious.

“I’m proud of us,” he said and kissed me. “But before we get to the good part,” he said rolling over again and getting something from somewhere next to the bed. “This is for you,” he said giving me an envelope. I looked at him and he just stared back.

“What is it?” I said hesitant to open the envelope.

“It’s a gift for us,” he said and the "us" part made me feel a little better. I opened the envelope and I felt my eyes widened, my heart racing and I had to get out of the bed.

“What is this, Patrick?” I asked trying to read what I had in front of me.

“I paid off your mortgage,” he said getting off the bed and walking towards me.

“But why did you do that?” I looked up from the paper in my hands to him.

“I want you to live with me,” he said shrugging.

“I already live with you,” I said taking a couple of steps back before he could get to me and hug me.

“I want you to either sell your house or rent it and move in with me. I want to turn the pool house into an office for you and I want you to live in my house with me for the rest of our lives. I want you in my bed every night and I want what we had today for a little while this afternoon. I want a routine, I want to know that I don’t have to come up with reasons for you to stay over at my place,” he finally walked over and kissed me passionately. I kissed him back because I couldn’t do any other thing. I had no idea what to say, I had felt that very same thing he felt when we were getting ready for the party in the afternoon but I didn’t know if I was ready to take such a huge step.

“I can’t,” I finally said breaking off the kiss and running to the other side of the room and began running my hands through my hair.

“You can’t or you won’t Lucinda,” I heard a tone in Patrick’s voice that I had never heard before. I just shook my head.

“I can’t, Patrick, please,” I said still not turning to look at him.

“Lucinda, I want you with me,” he begged and I finally looked at him “I am with you,” I said with tears in my eyes.

“I want all of you,” he said not moving from where he was.

“You have all of me,” I didn’t want to get into a fight.

“I don’t, Lucinda. I want to be able to tell you how I feel,” he finally walked over me while taking of his jacket and bow tie and throwing them to the bed.

“Patrick, please,” I pleaded him. I didn’t want to hear whatever he wanted to say.

“No, Lucinda, not anymore,” he kept on walking until he had his hands in my waist. “I need to let all this feelings out.”

“Patrick, No,” I finally screamed and got out of his arms.