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[mason-montclair]

Backing up into the hallway, Mason tried to give Flora a chance to explain herself without too much judgement. "And all of a sudden you feel fine talking about it? What changed?"

[floraallen]

@mason-montclair

After a talk with Violet Flora couldn’t deny it: she loved Mason. Even though she was afraid it would put them both into danger, she couldn’t stay away. She took the backdoor at Mason’s house so no one would see her in case she was being watched, and knocked the door hoping he was home.

[mason-montclair]

Sitting at his desk, Mason was swamped with work; it was the only thing that kept his mind busy these days, what with everyone else seeming to disappear into their own, personal chaos. Hearing a knock on the back door, he almost dismissed it, before wondering who it could possibly be. Mason got up and answered the door, only to see Flora. He crossed his arms over his chest. “I thought you didn’t want to see me.”

[floraallen]

She looked down guilty. “I know I said that..” she sighed. “I never told you what happened when you were gone. It’s not pretty. But if you have five minutes for me, I want to tell you. I.. I can’t stay away even though I tried.”

[mason-montclair]

Mason just shook his head. "I don't know what you want from me." He moved from the doorway and gestured for her to come inside. "I don't know what changed your mind. ... but you want five minutes? You've got 'em."

[floraallen]

@mason-montclair

After a talk with Violet Flora couldn’t deny it: she loved Mason. Even though she was afraid it would put them both into danger, she couldn’t stay away. She took the backdoor at Mason’s house so no one would see her in case she was being watched, and knocked the door hoping he was home.

[mason-montclair]

Sitting at his desk, Mason was swamped with work; it was the only thing that kept his mind busy these days, what with everyone else seeming to disappear into their own, personal chaos. Hearing a knock on the back door, he almost dismissed it, before wondering who it could possibly be. Mason got up and answered the door, only to see Flora. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I thought you didn't want to see me."

[mason-montclair]

mrjoevanderbilt:

“Oh the fun of being in charge of the family business, isn’t it? At least you can say you didn’t spend Christmas alone. Well you did always seem to follow my choice when we went to the horse races. Can’t believe we both lost 5000 dollars that one time. There’s something in that saying. So I guess we’ll see where we meet. If someone is trying to bid higher I’ll know who it is.“ He nodded. “I know. I’m there for Daniel. He’s a great kid. I don’t know where I’d be without him. So you probably don’t want to explain why little Allen can’t hear you name? I uhm .. she just needed a place to stay you know. But something of me thought that too. I hope you don’t mind me mentioning that .. not that it matters; the next day she left even before I was awake.”

“I’m the only one that can, so ... yeah, I guess I have to make it work. I can think of at least a dozen times that you were following my lead, though. Remember the auction a few years ago? You only bid on the items I did, even when you didn’t want them.” He laughed. “Daniel deserves the best, alright? Don’t lose sight of that. And stay sober. ... Flora doesn’t want to hear my name; I came back from Europe, and she acted like something bad happened since I was gone. I don’t know if it was something I did, or something that happened, but ... I’m trying to respect her wishes.” He tensed as Joe continued mentioning Juliette. “I don’t care what the two of you did. We were broken up, and you got what you wanted. Just don’t expect me to applaud your choices.”

[mason-montclair]

mrjoevanderbilt:

“And what about you? Do you have time for a day off?” He laughed. “Clever, Montclair, but I’ve been in this business as long as you so you know I can’t tell you before you will have the same company in mind ‘by coincidence’. But if I do bump into you there, may the best man win.” Joe was a bit surprised to hear Mason actually saying something to help him. “Gonna be a hard one without getting drunk. .. I think that won’t be a problem, no mention of youor anything that has to do with you. - I uhm, I haven’t seen her either in a while you know. Juliette, I mean.”

“I do -- but I have some important clients coming into town, so I’ll be spending the day making their holiday magical instead of my own. But don’t you worry; I don’t make my business decisions based on anyone else’s. If we have the same interests, it’s because we both have good taste.” He gave the other man a smile. “Well, try to enjoy yourself. It’s about your son, not about you. So if he has a good time, that’s what matters, yeah? ... thank you. That means a lot to me. ... and I’m surprised; I thought you two were getting ... close.”

[mason-montclair]

agentvioletskye:

That sounds like a terrible year. Join the club. Hopefully you can get a new girlfriend, keep your company and stop the people who hurt you. Who did those things to you by the way? Maybe I could help.

Yeah, well, 2016 wasn’t really a great year for anyone, I guess. I’m honestly not sure I’m looking to get with anyone. The last thing I’d want to do is get someone into a whole bunch of trouble they didn’t ask for. ...especially you, Vi. Don’t worry about it.

[mason-montclair]

mrjoevanderbilt:

“Hm, are you judging me? It’s Christmas, I’ve been very generous and gave my staff a day off.“ He grinned. “I am always confident enough. Vanderbilt Industries is only expanding and expanding. I have my eye on this small company in town, I want to buy them out so I can make their building into my presentation room for business partners.” He nodded. “Caroline’s last name. Daniel is with her for the holidays, so so am I, it’s going to be a lot of fun.” He rolled his eyes. “Her brother is there, her dad and if I’m very unlucky Mrs Allen - who has never liked me - will be there to ask me if I’m still an alcoholic. And her little sister is probably there. I hope you do to. No sarcasm.”

“No judgment; I’m glad you have a chance to take time for yourself.” He paused, assessing his own ventures with Joe’s. “Which company are you looking at? I hate to be the bearer of bad news on the holidays, but ... we may be looking at the same one.” The mention of the Allens felt like a stab in the gut. “Well, if they give you any trouble, just ignore it, okay? That’s my job. And, uh ... if you see Flora. .. don’t mention me?”

[agentvioletskye]

I swear 2016 wants to be remembered as one of the worst years in recent memory. At this point it’s just dragging on. Are you one of those rare people who had a good year?

[mason-montclair]

“Does a breakup, nearly losing my company, and getting the shit beaten out of me several times count as a good year?”

[bradshawelizabeth]

“What? This? It’s totally water.”

[mason-montclair]

“And I’m an FBI agent.”

[lindseyausten--xo]

Giving out free kisses, who wants one?

[mason-montclair]

Any reason why, or you just feeling frisky?

[mason-montclair]

floraallen:

Maybe there was a reason you had to make that mistake. You can’t be with me. My new life.. it.. it doesn’t have a place for you in it. You have to leave now. Leave a-and.. [her voice came back and wasn’t more than a high whisper] and don’t come back. You can call me when you’re in trouble, but apart from that I can’t see you anymore.

That’s not fair. That’s not fair, and you know it. How can you expect me to just leave you here by yourself? You’re upset. You’re hurt. What good would it do you to be by yourself right now?

[floraallen]

Many things are not fair but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. If it’s not fair you’ll have to find another way around. You’ve found another girl before and you will now. I’m upset because.. because you’re here. And I told you to leave. I.. I want to be alone, okay? Don’t let me ask you again. Please go.

[mason-montclair]

I ... fine. I won’t bother you anymore...I promise. Just -- if you need anything, ever, at all ... tell me, okay?

[mason-montclair]

lindseyausten--xo:

Oh!  That kind of fun!  Well, honestly, there hasn’t been a whole lot of people around to stir up that kind of fun.  Maybe since you’re back, you want to stir up trouble together?

I can’t say no to a night on the town with a pretty woman. What kind of trouble are you looking for?

[mason-montclair]

mrjoevanderbilt:

Masons calm attitude made him wonder if he had gone into rehab again. “So where have you been?” he asked, not hiding his interest to know what Mason had been up to. It wasn’t like he judged him; he would actually be proud if his old friend had taken life in his own hands again. "You’ve got any girl in mind then? But no, not this year, I’m on my way to the Allen family so I can celebrate Christmas with my son.“

He had no intention of telling Joe about the details of his personal life. The man had lost that privilege when he hooked up with his ex-girlfriend, allowing her to stay in his house. “I’ve been focusing on business. Something I thought you’d be doing today. But if you’re confident enough to take the holidays for yourself ...” Mason gave him a smirk. “Nobody in particular ... but you’re visiting the Allens? .... good. Enjoy. I hope you have a good holiday.”

[mason-montclair]

floraallen:

Maybe there was a reason you had to make that mistake. You can’t be with me. My new life.. it.. it doesn’t have a place for you in it. You have to leave now. Leave a-and.. [her voice came back and wasn’t more than a high whisper] and don’t come back. You can call me when you’re in trouble, but apart from that I can’t see you anymore.

That’s not fair. That’s not fair, and you know it. How can you expect me to just leave you here by yourself? You’re upset. You’re hurt. What good would it do you to be by yourself right now?

[mrjoevanderbilt]

@mason-montclair:

The streets were busy with people trying to get home for the holiday, buying last minute gifts and groceries to make sure that the entire thing went off without a hitch. Mason, for once, wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings, and accidentally found himself running into someone as they exited a store. He looked up, only to see Joe standing in front of him. “Joe,” he nodded, curtly. “Good to see you – have a good holiday, yeah?”

“That’s me,” he said, wiping off some invisible dust from his suit. “You too, Montclair. So Christmas brought you back to town? Are you celebrating with anyone?” he asked, trying to find out if he had gotten back with Juliette. It was something he had tried to accomplish for a bit, getting his friends back together, but right now he wasn’t sure how he felt if it had really happened.

[mason-montclair]

There was a pretentious air around Joe, though Mason knew better than to accept it at face value. "Not quite. It was good timing though," he said, trying to maintain his polite attitude and not snap at the man. "It'll just be me this year, unless something changes. Why, you looking for a date?"

[floraallen]

@mason-montclair:

I could do all of that, but that wouldn’t make me happy. You  make me happy, Flora, more than any of that stuff. … and if you want me to wait, I can wait. I just – I know we’re … we’re supposed to be more than this.

Mason, you leave me alone for years, then barge back into my life and now you leave for a few weeks to come back saying you want me. You can’t just do that. My life is not a game, it’s dangerous and I.. I can’t - I don’t want you in that [she said and felt the tears rolling down her face, telling him she didn’t want him while she did. But she just couldn’t. It would get them both killed.] I don’t want you to wait. Go be happy. But not here. I’m sorry.

[mason-montclair]

Leaving like that, walking out on you, on us -- that was the biggest mistake I've ever made. And I remind myself of that every day. -- but I want to be there with you, no matter how dangerous it might be. I ... you ... you don't mean that. [He pauses, his voice breaking when he starts talking again.] You can't mean that.

[mason-montclair]

lindseyausten--xo:

A surprise, really? Of course I would notice. I’m not blind! Who, me? I wouldn’t do something like that!

I would’ve thought you were too busy to even notice. -- you sure? You seem like the kind to stir up a little fun every now and then.