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:
He only had, had two serious relationships. He acknowledged other sexual encounters, but there were only two he considered girlfriends. One started in college and lasted three years. Claire listened, thinking that was longer than her time with Tony. The most recent lasted about a year and a half and ended a few months before Claire arrived in Palo Alto.
At first it surprised Claire she didn’t know any of this. Then she realized how little she knew about Harry’s past. He’d been very forthcoming regarding his work at SiJo and previous police work. But that was all in relation to his investigating skills with Tony.
This morning he told her about regular medical care and his belief that he was healthy and free of all communicable diseases. He even offered to have a routine check if it would ease Claire’s mind. He winked and his blue eyes twinkled when he mentioned with a clean bill of health and her on the pill, they could avoid the bothersome condoms. While Claire appreciated his candor, she wondered if this was what dating had become, the exchange of medical records. It wasn’t like she ever had a chance to consider that with Tony. And she had seen a doctor in prison, without a doubt, her medical record was clear. The pill -- that was something worth considering.
As he volunteered a larger glimpse of his personal history, Claire wondered why she’d felt the pressing need to share her past despite knowing so little of his. She reasoned it was due to his help researching Tony’s past. After all, Harry hadn’t asked Claire to investigate his ex-girlfriend.
It was the name of Harry’s most recent girlfriend which caused Claire to twinge. She wasn’t sure what it meant. Could it be jealousy? She didn’t think so. However, not only had she met his ex, she’d talked with her. Now the more recent coolness she’d noticed from Amber’s personal assistant made sense: only months before, Harry and Liz had cohabitated.
“Do you find it weird working with her every day?” Claire asked.
“No. It’s over. We both know it. Besides she’s great at what she does.” Wow, that was an open ended statement, Claire thought. “And Amber doesn’t want to lose her, just because we had a thing.”