Carly sat at her desk, just staring out the single window in the room. She’d gotten up early this morning to dress Michael and get herself ready for work. Knowing that her important meeting was today, she had her reservations about taking Michael over to the Quartermaine’s, yet she really didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. Having called Bobbie and finding out she was in a long morning surgery, her one and only plan had been shot down and she had been forced to take Michael to AJ.
Upon their arrival, AJ had made a big scene out of seeing Michael, as if he hadn’t seen him the day before for two hours, maybe even longer. The three of them had sat down to a seemingly normal family lunch of Happy Meals and ice cream cones. Afterwards, they had taken a walk through the mall and stopped at Richardson’s Train Shoppe. It had first been a stop just so Michael could look at the intricate trains that were handmade by the owner. But, as always, Michael had become attached to a particular train and AJ had felt the need to play the money card and had bought Michael the whole set, telling the boy that they could set it up together over the weekend. Carly had smiled in happiness for her son, but knew what the purchase had meant when it came down to it - AJ had all the money in the world and he could give Michael everything and anything he ever wanted while she had nothing.
When Michael and her had gotten home, she had put the boy to sleep and then spent the next hour crying. Sure, AJ was rich and he could give Michael a lot of things...but they were just things. Materials. What Michael really needed was love and she gave him plenty of that. Though she had no doubt that AJ could offer him the same kind of love and then where would that leave her? She’d just be the woman that carried him around for close to nine months added to the fact that she had walked away from him afterwards. If Michael himself could choose whom he wanted to stay with, it would probably be AJ for all the toys he could get. And what about when he got older, when money would really start to mean something to him. If she didn’t get her act together, then where would she be? On the outside looking in. The mother who would show up for all his activities and always offer her love, but would undoubtedly be brushed aside for AJ, who had the love plus the money.
That’s when she had come up with her second plan. Granted, it was still in its early stages, but once she got the kinks worked out, it could be one of her best yet. But first she would need to make sure things went okay with settling Michael’s custody this afternoon. After that was done, she could plan and scheme to her heart’s content. Picking up the stack of files on the corner of the desk, Carly got up and walked over to the filing cabinet. If anyone had told her she would be working, as a secretary no less, she would have scoffed in their face. Being the Quartermaine wife, her only job had been to smile and look pretty on AJ’s arm. She had probably started to like it too and that had been the number one reason her that plan had gone sour. The marriage to AJ had been a trick, so she could get money for her and Michael and they would be set for life. All along, she’d had plans to go back to Jason. The three of them would be together and live as the family, the family she had always dreamed of. But by seeing Elizabeth Webber in Jason’s arms, and then making the huge mistake of going to Sonny for answers, all her future dreams had been ruined. If there was any one thing Carly knew about herself, it was that all her actions had a purpose. Yet to this day, she still couldn’t figure out what sleeping with Sonny would’ve accomplished, though she usually just chalked it up to an act of jealousy. Still, if only Jason had forgiven her, if only he had listened and come to know that sleeping with Sonny was probably the biggest mistake of her life, she knew they could’ve worked things out. Instead, he had just left, telling everyone in town of his departure except for her...the one person that mattered.
She’d thought of that day on the docks every night when going to sleep. He’d acted strange, even distant, but she just assumed it was his way of protecting his hurt feelings. If she had known...if she’d had any clue as to the fact that he was leaving, she would have grabbed onto him and never let go. Shaking her head, Carly closed the cabinet door and returned to her desk. It was useless thinking about Jason now. He was gone and he wasn’t ever coming back. Now, everything was left up to her. Her decisions...her actions would pave the way for both herself and Michael from now on and that was what she needed to concentrate on.
“Carly, have you seen the Forrester files anywhere,” Dani asked as she breezed into the small reception area.
Carly looked around her desk, trying to place the name she had just mentioned with the whereabouts of the file. “Um...I might have just filed it. Was it in the stack that was on the desk over there,” she said, pointing in the direction of where the files she had just placed in the cabinet once sat.
“No, I don’t think so. But could you please check anyway. If I don’t find that file, my sister will kill me!”
“Important clients?” Carly opened the cabinet drawer and looked through the files for the name Forrester.
“To Melinda, miss perfect, every customer is important. Every customer should be treated as if they are the firm’s number one priority, and in order to do that, I have to prepare thoroughly for each appointment before-hand.” Looking at her watch, Dani rolled her eyes. “They’re going to arrive any minute now and I don’t even know what they need!”
“Calm down Dani. We’ll find the file. You look in the tray on the bookshelf over there and I’ll search through the rest of the files in this cabinet.” They bought sought out to find the file, searching their respective areas when the elevator sounded, announcing an arrival. Both turned, sure to see the Mr. or Mrs. Forrester, or maybe even both, but instead found Sonny Corinthos and one of his guards, Francis, walking into the room. Carly rolled her eyes, turning back to the task she had set out to complete before. Dani, on the other hand, stormed over the over-dressed crime boss to give her piece of mind.
“I’m sorry Mr. Corinthos, but you’re not welcome here.”
Sonny smiled, “Is that right?”
“Yes, it is. So I suggest you and your friend here,” she glanced at the guard, “turn and leave immediately.”
“Or what, Ms. Carzuti? You’ll call the police? Go right on ahead. I kind of like the company of the PCPD.”
Right then, the elevator sounded again. This time, a middle-aged couple entered the reception area. Upon seeing the scene that greeted them, they almost turned and left, sure that they had come to the wrong office.
“Mr. and Mrs. Forrester, correct,” Carly asked as she made her way to the couple.
“Yes. Um, we’re in the wrong place. We’re actually looking for the Santos and Carzuti offices...”
“No, this is the correct place. In fact, Ms. Carzuti was just getting ready to discuss your property attainment issues with you, weren’t you Dani,” Carly said, giving the other woman a look.
Taking a calming breath, Dani nodded and smiled at the couple. “Right this way Mr. and Mrs. Forrester.”
“Louise and Greg, please,” the woman said as she passed by Sonny and Johnny, trying to stay as far removed from them as possible, followed closely by her husband.
When Dani had seen them both seated in her office, she returned to the reception area. “How’d you know what they’re here for Carly,” she whispered.
Smiling, Carly held up the file she had found while Dani was having words with Sonny. Handing the other woman the file, she told her to go and take care of her clients. “I’ll take care of him,” she said, nodding her head in Sonny’s direction.
Giving Sonny one last piercing look, which was returned with the same smile from before, she turned and walked into her office, shutting the door behind her.
Turning, Carly grabbed one of Sonny’s arms in one hand and one of Francis’ in the other, yanking them both towards the elevators. “I don’t know what you want and I really don’t care. I told you we’d discuss things later yesterday. I meant it. So please, just go.”
Amazed that both he and Francis had just been dragged by a woman half his own size, he shook his head. “Carly, we need to talk.”
“Sonny, we’ll talk to your hearts content...but after five today, all right?”
“Carly, you might be in danger and I need to put guards on you right away.”
Carly turned to face him, not believing what she had just heard. “Look Sonny, you follow me around all the time anyway. What’s the difference?”
Narrowing his eyes, Sonny asked, “How did you know about… ”
“Oh come on Sonny! Do I really come off as that ignorant? You’ve had guards on me ever since you found out I was carrying your child. Now please, go!” Carly turned to go back to her desk but was stopped by a hand on her arm.
“It’s different now Carly. I might have some trouble brewing and that could mean problems for you.”
“No one even knows this child is yours. Only you and I know that,” plus Bobbie and Dani she thought to herself, “so if you keep your mouth shut, we should be just fine.”
“Francis is going to stay with you until Johnny takes over, probably later tonight.”
“Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
“I heard you loud and clear Carly, but I don’t care. When it comes to the safety of my child, I’m not going to take any chances.”
“He can follow me anywhere he wants, but not until after my meeting with AJ.”
“That’s just not good enough Carly. I understand you want me to stay out of the situation between you and your husband...”
“Soon to be ex-husband,” Carly interjected.
“Whatever. But I will definitely get involved when my child’s concerned.”
“Can’t you just... Can’t he just stay away until after the meeting? It should be over by four, five at the latest. Please?”
“He’s staying Carly and that’s the last word. I know you have to lookout for Michael, but I have to lookout for the baby’s sake.”
“What do you think, that...that I don’t care about my child too? You’re an asshole man!” Carly turned and stormed into Melinda’s empty office, closing the door then locking it.
On the outside, Sonny just stared. He almost when after her, but decided against. Leave it up to Carly to twist his words. “Just stand out here Francis and call me if anything happens.”
Francis looked back towards the door Carly had just gone into, then again at his boss. “Should I follow her to the meeting too?”
Looking at the door again, Sonny nodded his head in the positive. “You remember what told you about Sorrel disappearing. It may be a trick. Don’t let her out of your sight today, even for the meeting. Though, I would caution discretion during that time. I don’t want any trouble for her with AJ.”
Francis nodded his head in understanding as Sonny pressed the button to summon an elevator.
Carly fumed. How could he be so damn selfish? All he thought about was himself, twenty-four seven. Here she was, trying to make a life for herself and her children, but all he could think about were his own damn needs.
When it comes to the safety of my child, I’m not going to take any chances. ...I will definitely get involved when my child’s concerned... I have to lookout for the baby’s sake.
The nerve of the man. She would bet her whole week’s pay that Francis was still standing out there because once Sonny made up his mind about sometime, there was no changing it - no matter how big of a fit she threw. Opening the door, Carly stepped out the office. Looking around the reception area, she saw no signs of Sonny or Francis. Releasing a held breath, she walked further into the room at which point she saw Francis standing by the bank of elevators. Her initial relief quickly turning into dread, she walked over to the guard.
“Where’s your master,” Carly asked.
Trying to keep the amusement from her comment off his face, Francis answered, “He left” in his practiced monotone voice.
“And you didn’t leave because?
“I have orders to remain with you at all times Mrs. Quart...”
“Don’t you dare call me that Francis! How many times do I have to tell you its Carly? Forget it! Its Spencer now, okay?”
Francis nodded, “Yes Ms. Spencer. “
“So, now, you can go Francis. I’ll be fine. There’s no big, bad monster out there trying to get me, minus AJ of course, but I can handle him. So you can leave.”
“I’m sorry Ms. Spencer, but I can’t. You’d have to take that up with the boss.”
“Are you going to stand in plain view at my meeting this afternoon, because I don’t think AJ will be too receptive to that.”
“I’ve been given instructions to make myself blend in, but still keep tabs on your location at all times.” Breaking his monotone, he added “I’ll try not to be seen Carly, but I have to watch you.”
Surprised at Francis’ obvious concern for her, she smiled. “Thank you Francis. That means a lot to me. But do you have to stand there all day and watch me work? I don’t think Dani will like that either.”
“Have any bushes I could hide in,” he asked jokingly.
That produced a laugh out of both of them. “Okay, fine. Stand there. Your own waste of time I guess.” Carly turned and walked back to the desk. She just hoped Dani wouldn’t get too angry by Francis’ constant presence.
Across town, Frankie Moreno sat at the head of the desk at the meeting of Sorrel’s territory. Having called at the top members of the organization to the meeting, Frankie now thought it was time to make the announcements that would change the order of the business from this day forward.“Gentleman, I thank you all for coming. As you all know, my father was head of this organization for many years. He treated all his employees with respect...as if they were his equals.”
One of the members interrupted. “True enough Frankie, but your father is dead. And Sorrel now runs the organization.”
“And how exactly has Sorrel acted in keeping accord with business. Things have changed gentlemen. We’ve seen a huge increase in shipments being imported and exported through our ports, yet from these figures I’ve seen, the income being brought in has stayed the same as when the shipments were much less. How can that be?”
“Well maybe if Sorrel was around, we could ask him. But I guess you would know about that Frankie,” another associate added in.
“Months ago, I received information that the cause of my father’s death was not due to Jason Morgan, but rather to Sorrel, and thus he has been repaid for his kindness.”
There was a shift of energy at the table as the members started to discuss the news flash that had just been delivered.
“Gentlemen, your attention please.” Frankie waited until things had settled at the table. “As of today, I am taking over the organization that was built by my father. Shipments will start up again by next Friday, once we get all our exporters and crew members back into place. I intend to treat my employees with the same respect that my father showed his. If there aren’t any more questions, then...”
“Francesca, you can’t be serious. Your father wouldn’t want you involved in the business, much less running it. That’s why he sent you away to school, so you’d learn and do better for yourself.”
“Mr. Argento,” Frankie addressed the man who had spoken up - the same man who had been with her father’s organization years ago. “I understand your concern. But I assure you, and the rest of you, that I am very capable of running my father’s business. And don’t think that just because I’m a woman, it would make me any less incapable. I spent the first sixteen years of my life in this business. I know it just as well as any of you. If anyone has any problems, they should just put them on the table right now.”
Not one of the men seated responded to the young woman’s challenge. Frankie had been a tough one to keep up with when she was younger, and they all knew she would be a formidable opponent in the organization today.
“What about the other heads? Corinthos?”
Frankie looked up at the comment. “Don’t worry about the other heads. As far as Mr. Corinthos goes, I will make my presence know to him when the time comes. But for now, let’s just continue business as always. Now, if you’ll all join me in the main dining room, Rosemary has prepared a fabulous meal for all of us to share...just like old times.
As the men stood and moved into the dining area to eat, there was much discussion amongst them about the changes. Blocking them out, Francesca Rosalee Moreno looked out into the city her father had once had control over. True, Sonny Corinthos controlled most of the imports and exports out of Port Charles, but soon things would change. If there was one thing her father had taught her, it was that a Moreno never gave up - no matter who they had to destroy in order to come out on top. She remembered her father’s words well and would use them to win back control - no matter what it took.