Phil decided to get a closer look at Claire’s suite. He stopped on his way to the pool. When he reached her door, he found it ajar with a housekeeping cart parked before her entrance. Casually Phillip Roach stepped around the cart and waved to the housekeeper, in the bedroom changing the sheets. Noticing the blanket and sheet upon the couch, Phil grinned and clicked a picture. Although, it was none of his business, he suspected Mr. Rawlings would be as happy about this discovery as he.
Phil clicked a picture of the coffee table with an empty bottle of wine and three glasses. Next, he nodded politely to the housekeeper, left the suite, and walked toward the pool.
Easing into a lounge chair shadowed by a large umbrella, Phil’s eyes settled upon his new obsession. Despite her eventful night with multitudes of visitors, Claire looked rested and relaxed, casually lounging under a deep burgundy umbrella, her bare legs stretched out before her, wearing a black bikini. On the table to her left, Phil saw her iPhone, a plate with part of a sandwich, and a tall glass with amber liquid. The lemon upon the rim and the small bowl of various colored sweetener packets indicated the glass contained iced tea. Her sunglasses were on top of her head as she read from the iPad.
He leaned back, snapped a photo and began his email to Mr. Rawlings.
******
Claire adjusted her eyes to her iPad. As long as she kept it out of the sunshine and her sunglasses off, she could read the screen. Sighing, she reread Meredith’s blog for the third time. The content wouldn’t change. She wasn’t seeking new information -- only assessing. The procedure felt strangely familiar, evaluating each new situation for possible fallout. She’d lived two years of her life that way, taking-in everything around her, and gauging if, no not if -- how Tony would react. Claire no longer feared physical retaliation; yet, part of her felt the need to placate Meredith’s blog, hoping to mellow his response. Claire reread:
Freedom of Speech
While Freedom of Speech is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, it is not apparently immune to money and influence. I wrote a retraction scheduled to appear today in Rolling Stone and People Magazine. It was a retraction to an article I wrote over three years ago. (Hyperlink to 2010 article)
As an independent correspondent, I have experienced the highs and lows of our ever changing world of media. In the past, I’ve proposed ideas which have been accepted or rejected in principal. Never, until now, have I had a publication refuse to print my finished product, after first accepting the concept.
(Hyperlink to Rolling Stone article) and (Hyperlink to People Magazine article); for the record, my retraction was to include additional information which these esteemed publications have since refused to print. A third nationally recognized magazine refused to print any of my retraction.
In an effort to inform the public, as is your right to know, my blog will serve as the sounding board designed to reach the masses. Here, as is my right, I will write what no magazine was willing to print:
Ms. Claire (Rawlings) Nichols has agreed to sit down with me and openly discuss her relationship, marriage, and divorce with Anthony Rawlings. Mr. Rawlings is one of this country’s leading entrepreneurs and listed as one of the top ten wealthiest people in the United States. His influence in the world of business is without bounds. That same influence has been working overtime to stop Ms. Nichols’ right to free speech.
As of yet, I do not know any details of their relationship. It is, however, my opinion that since Mr. Rawlings’ legal team is working diligently to contain her voice, the final product will be worth writing... and reading!
Continue to follow this blog to learn more about the TRUTH only Ms. Nichols can share!
Claire looked at her phone and wondered if she should call Tony. After all, she didn’t want Tony’s fine legal staff presenting Meredith with a restraining order. Claire tried earlier to reach her old friend, but she was busy in another interview.
Claire closed her eyes and debated the effectiveness of her case, she would tell Tony: I was upset after you left last night. You should know that. I fell asleep before I could call Meredith. The blog was already up and viral by the time I woke-up.
There were over 300,000 hits. Her planned words were all true. Claire just wasn’t sure if she could talk to Tony, after what happened last night with Harry.
Thinking about last night ... and this morning... caused a smile to sneak onto her face, momentarily forgetting the blog. She lowered her sunglasses over her eyes, placed the iPad face down on the small table, and relaxed against the soft lounge chair.
Absorbing the sunshine, she recalled her night and morning. When she and Harry finally talked about what they’d done, Claire was reassured by their like mindedness. Neither wanted to jeopardize their friendship, and both thought they were comfortable with the additional benefits. After all, they’re both consenting adults.
Harry previously accused Claire of being distant regarding her past. If that were true, he was in another state. Until this morning, he’d kept his personal past hidden. Even Amber hadn’t mentioned anything.
After their morning’s use of Harry’s last condom, he wheeled the cart with coffee into the bedroom. Sitting on the bed, sipping coffee, wrapped only in a sheet with Harry once again dressed felt absolutely licentious. Despite all they’d done, the decadence was stimulating. She remembered peering at him over the rim of her coffee mug, secretly wishing he had more silver packets, and knowing their daily coffee chats would never be the same. She listened as Harry offered a small glimpse into his history: