Previously...
A smile of accomplishment makes itself present on Emily Landon's face. As she's being wheeled into the lobby of the twenty-sixth floor, Steve Summers pushes with ease. Making various gestures of acknowledgement to associates surrounding them in the lobby, this is the first time that Emily Landon has made an appearance at her company in nearly two months. If only she knew the many jokes that persisted in her absence that included her being better off dead after the 'near fatal' accident.
"So how does it
feel to be back?" Steve peers down with a grin.
"It's never felt better," Emily replies as she shoots back a smile. They soon come to an abrupt stop before reaching Emily's office. "I've wanted to return for several weeks now...the feeling is indescribable. I was going insane back at the estate with nothing to do."
"I
can imagine. I hope you realize why I'm not big on vacations," Steve replies. "I'd go insane the whole time thinking that there were things that needed to get finished around here."
"No rest for the wicked, Steve."
"Damn right, you said it." Steve bites his lip before opening the door and wheeling her into the office. Several reports are neatly presented on her desk showing the latest sales figures and loss reports. "I'm sorry to bog you down with any negativity upon your return, but I thought you should see these."
Emily scans one of the
reports as her eyes grow wide with astonishment.
"Time hasn't been too kind at all I see."
"It's all across the board- everywhere you look. No matter what business your in, times are certainly tough. I'm confident that we'll come out on top though." Steve does his best to reassure her.
She looks up momentarily and locks eyes with him, "I was recovering Steve- not dead. I've been staying current with the present conditions."
Steve nods his head and remains silent. While the two have once again become quite close, he certainly does his best to stray from situations likes this. He definitely prefers to be out of sight when she reads anything negative- and this was certainly one of those occasions. Feeling trapped, Steve understands that his silence will be the key if he can just let her get everything out of her system.
"Jesus, Steve! Times are bad, but I never expected this! These figures are horrible...what was everyone doing while I was away?" Emily sighs deeply and rubs her forehead for a moment. "I was selfish...I apparently can't leave this place for one damn moment without everything falling apart."
A moment later the two are interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Emily is certainly not expecting anyone, nor is she in the mood to cross anyone's path right now.
The door soon creaks open, much to Emily's dismay as she calls out for the person to let them be. Emily and Steve look at each other curiously before their eyes gravitate back towards the door.
A figure soon appears in the doorway. It's a dark-haired man who must be in his early thirties. Wearing a nicely pressed suit, he begins to draw closer before appropriately introducing himself. Steve and Emily once again look at each other in astonishment.
"Who in the hell are you? Do you not understand English?" Emily snaps.
"I do indeed, although I think you'll be quite interested in what I have to say."
"Oh, is that right? And who may I ask are you?" Emily replies sarcastically.
"The name is McCullough. Braden McCullough ." The man flashes them both
with a smile. "I think that name should be quite familiar to you. Let's
just say that I have a business proposal that you won't be able to turn
down."
______________________________________________________________
Scene: Jason Summers' Condo.
Jason
monotonously taps his fingers on Keith's
old phone list as he deliberates if he should call or not. He was desperately hoping that he wouldn't have to make the call after this morning's retest, but sadly the OraQuick test showed the same results- that he was certainly living with the virus. He wishes with everything in him that the older test would prove wrong, but now he has to truly face what lies ahead. He has to realize that he will be making quite a few adjustments in life, and perhaps, taking on a new perspective on life in general.
"I have to do this...if I don't, I'm going to drive myself insane. I have to know who this damn Lucas guy is and what in fact his connection with Keith was. Did Lucas give him this? Do I now have to face such a grim future all because of this one man?"
Jason mutters to himself as he begins to slowly press the numbers into his phone. Pressing each new number becomes a battle in itself as his palms grow sweaty with fear. He wonders if these very questions will be answered in just a few moments- that is, if he has the courage to go through with it.
He finally takes a deep breath and presses the 'call' button on his phone. With shaky fingers, he grips the phone and presses it up against his left ear. The phone rings almost to the point where he believes it will go to voicemail before a man answers.
"Hello...who is this?" The man answers, obviously curious about the unknown number.
"Is this Lucas Nolan ?" Jason inquires, evading the question.
"Yes, this is. Again, who is this?"
"Are you free to talk for a few moments? Is this a good time?" Jason replies.
"I can once you tell me who this is." Lucas' voice grows with irritation.
"This is Jason Summers. Does that name ring a bell?"
There is an awkward moment of silence before Lucas finally responds.
"Uhm, yeah...you must be Keith's ex. How did you get my number?"
"That's not important," Jason shoots back. "I need to ask a few questions and I need some honest answers."
"Okay, I can hear you out. I have no problem with that." Lucas responds.
"Alright then," Jason nods his head and clears his throat. "If I may ask firstly, what exactly was your relationship with Keith?"
______________________________________________________________
Scene: Chez Rendezvous
It has been less than twenty-four hours since Ashley
told Joe
about the pregnancy. She certainly hasn't
lost count of how many times he has called or sent text messages since the revelation- it had to be about every hour or so. While his initial reaction wasn't too positive, it seems as though he has truly come to terms with the pregnancy- in Ashley's eyes at least.
Now Ashley finds herself surrounded at the table by two quite important women in her life. On her left lies the woman who raised her, Helen
. Although a rift was created when Ashley learned Helen lied about Diane most of her life, the two always had a special bond. Thank Heavens Ashley was eventually able to put such an ordeal behind her.
On her right, Diane
sips a glass of wine before returning a smile. This dinner was so important to Ashley's birth mother as the two had recently grown closer. While Ashley could see the angst written all over Diane's face in recent days, she knew there was a sound reason. After all, Jason had still disappeared out of sight and neither knew his present condition. Although only Ashley knew the pure horror that Jason had faced this past week.
"You look relaxed now," Ashley turns to Diane and smiles.
"I am, Indeed. I guess an overpriced glass of wine can do that."
"It certainly never hurts," Helen agrees as she ushers for their waiter to join them. "Sir, I think we're ready."
As the women each order their main courses, a sudden feeling of nervousness strikes Ashley. She knows deep within that they will both be supportive of the news, but she fears that they will disapprove of her decision not to marry Joe prior. Everything has spiraled out of control so quickly; she fears that she won't be able to stand on her two feet much longer.
Of course, she
realizes that saying it aloud to her mother and grandmother will only help put some of her fears aside. "So, there is something I need to talk to you both about..."
"Yes, Ashley? Is it something important?" Diane speaks out.
"It is. Something quite important and hopefully news you'll find very exciting." Ashley clears her throat.
"You're getting married to that nice lawyer! Oh, Joe proposed to you!" Helen blurts out, causing Diane to look at Ashley with wide-eyes.
Meanwhile, Ashley bites her lip and does her best to continue. "No, Grandma. I can't say that the news has me getting marriedHowever, it does have us expecting a new member in the Davison family."
Diane takes another sip of her wine and digests Ashley's words before it all comes together. "Oh Ashley, you're pregnant! I knew there was something you weren't telling usthis is amazing news."
"Yes it is! To another life which will make this family even crazier!" Helen jokes as she raises her glass.
"Perhaps it will bring some stability to your life. There's no greater change in a woman's life than when she bears her first child." Diane smiles.
Ashley takes a moment and sighs to herself. She wonders if Diane sees the irony in her own statement. "I'm sure good things will come about. I have to trust that this baby will be healthy and a blessing in all of our lives."
"Amen!" Helen takes another sip, obviously getting a bit tipsy. "So no marriage to the father though? What the hell is wrong with his ass? Does he not want to own up and be a good father to this child?"
"Quite
the opposite," Ashley reveals. "At first I think he was a bit shocked, but you should see my phone messages now. He seems pretty excited."
"Well, he can be excited as all hell, but he needs to take responsibility as well." Helen once again chimes in.
"Mother, please stop. I'm sure Ashley and Joe know what they're doing and will work things out the best they can." Diane shoots a reassuring smile in Ashley's direction.
Ashley nods her head and
quickly replies under her breath. "I sure hope so"
______________________________________________________________
Scene: The Sawyer Estate, Northern Heights District.
Joe sighs deeply as he takes off his coat upon entering the estate. His mother, Callie
, is sitting on the sofa reading a magazine when he enters the living room. If only she can imagine the knots that persist in Joe's stomach today. On one side, he was relieved that Ashley finally revealed to him the nature of why she was being so distant. On the other side, he wasn't sure if the news was something he was truly ready for. At any rate, he decides to take it as a blessing and plans on giving Ashley all the support that an expecting mother can receive.
"What a pleasant surprise," Callie greets him and smiles as she rises to her feet.
"No need to get up, Mother," Joe ushers for her to sit back down and walks over to embrace her with a hug.
"Nonsense. So how was your day?"
"The last day has been interesting, to say the least," Joe answers.
"How so?" Callie raises a brow.
"Well, I got a bit of news from Ashley yesterday that was a bit surprising, shall we say."
"It doesn't surprise me. That woman just thinks she can dangle you around all these months and is now trying to cut the cord, isn't she? God, I knew she was bad news"
"Mother, stop," Joe sighs. "It's nothing bad...In fact, I think you're going to be quite thrilled..."
"Oh?"
Joe wrestles with the swirling thoughts in his head before continuing, "Ashley is pregnant, Mother."
Callie's eyes grow wide with astonishment as she takes a moment to digest what her son has just revealed. All of these years she has harped on him to give her a grandchild- but now? Was Ashley truly the right woman? Callie certainly seems torn by such questions.
"Oh, honey," Callie rises once again to give Joe a warm hug. "I'm so happy...this is, wow...I mean, wow."
"A bit of a shocker, eh?"
"You're telling me. I certainly didn't see this coming. So how far along is she?"
"Says she's over four months," Joe responds. "She hides it well I suppose."
"Four months? How long as she known?" Callie demands answers.
"Apparently a short while. She was torn whether I would react negatively or not."
"Well, did you?"
"I was surprised- and I'm sure she saw that written all over my face. I don't think I reacted negatively though."
"Well, when she decides to tell you after so much time has lapsedthat really just doesn't sit well with me." Callie shakes her head.
"Well, I hope you can get over any hang-ups you have about Ash now. Whether you like it or not, she is carrying your grandchild. And, for the new baby, he or she will get all the support and love in the world I hope."
"That the child will," Callie nods her head in agreement before muttering to herself, "I'm just not sure that Ashley will..."
______________________________________________________________
Scene: Landon Points Publishing
Emily Landon stops dead in her tracks when she hears the name spoken aloud. She instantly has a flashback of the last time she saw her ex-husband, Hal McCullough.
A horrific scream is heard down the tormented halls of Landon Manor. Through a maze of hallways that lead to constant hell, a bloodcurdling sound can only prompt one of many the Landon's "hired help" to realize what had occurred. It had been years since such a horrific sound was heard, but the shadows that roamed the night could whisper of many times the chill was felt before.
Outside the Grand Study, Emily Landon slowly turns the knob and peers out towards the noise. Her eyes grow in horror as Kayla stood before her.
"Kayla." Emily mutters as she stumbles closer into the darkness.
"Aunt Emily...I can't believe...I don't know what," Kayla continues to trail off in a rambling that Emily can not make out.
"It's okay honey, it's okay...I'm here now. You have nothing to worry about"
Emily put her arms tightly around a frozen Kayla as they glanced at the body below. The frozen dead body that lied in a puddle of blood was Hal McCullough....Blood that Emily notices on the hands of the young woman she was holding so tightly.
Kayla begins to whimper in disbelief as Emily caressed her hair gently.
"Don't worry Kayla, it's all over now...everything will be okay.everything will just be fine"
Emily quickly snaps back to reality when the man extends his arms out to greet her. Still suspicious, she's apprehensive about furthering any conversation with the stranger. She notices Steve playing with his knuckles...she knows it's a sign of anxiety on his part.
"McCullough you say? As in a relation to the late Hal McCullough?" Steve finally inquires.
"Indeed, you are right. Hal was my Uncle and basically raised me since I was a young child." Braden reveals.
Emily shakes her head in confusion. "This makes no sense...I was married to him and he never mentioned that he raised a nephew. I just can't believe it."
"Well, you must. He was the closest thing that I had to a Father. He would speak of you, but not always in the kindest of ways. I understood you had a bit of trouble in your marriage. It was his fourth marriage- I certainly can't say you were all to blame."
Emily smirks at Braden's attempt at sarcasm. She certainly doesn't want to reminisce about her ex-husband, let alone meet a supposed close relative.
"So why are you here? I hope you're not trying to reopen the case?" Emily replies. "You know they ruled his death as a suicide."
"Suicide, you say?" Braden chuckles and then looks back at her intently, "we both know he wasn't the type. But we can get into that another time. I didn't come here to debate my Uncle's cause of death."
"Then why are you here?" Steve cuts in.
"Well, as you know, when Hal passed away he was part owner of Landon Points Publishing. In his will, if you do remember, he expressed that in the event of his death he would like a family member to take his position on the board. That's where I come in."
"Why now? Your uncle, if you are who you say you are, died nearly two years ago. Why are you so interested in the business now?" Emily demands.
"That's a great question." Braden offers a short response before setting his briefcase on the table. "I'm sure you're aware of the present condition of the Company. It's not a shining moment for LPP."
Emily raises a brow and sighs. "Get to the point"
"Well, I suppose that I've always had a passion for going to the top. I've been involved with many companies like your own and I love seeing the turnaround. The process a company makes when they truly get out of their former critical condition. I suppose I have the same hopes for this one- no, I'm certain I do."
"So you're coming in like some knight in shining armor to save the company? You have to be kidding..." Steve smirks.
"As suspicious as you may be, the company is my only concern. I have no ulterior motives. I know this was very important to my Uncle and he'd want me to help out all I can."
Emily shakes her head at the young man. There are simply so many unanswered questions looming in the air. Steve seems as equally apprehensive about trusting him.
"Now if you'll please excuse me," Braden cuts in as he looks down at his phone, "I do have a call to take from a business partner. We'll reconvene in just a moment."
Emily finally can't hold it in and bursts out with laughter. The gull, she thinks, for a younger nave man to tell her when a meeting will reconvene- especially one as impromptu as this.
______________________________________________________________
Scene: Jason Summers' Condo.
Jason holds up the phone intently as he awaits a response.
"Keith and I were friends," Lucas finally replies before taking another moment to pause. "That's all."
"That's all? How did you guys meet?" Jason asks next.
"Just at a local bar. It had to have been last winter. He seemed like a pretty chill guy and we exchanged numbers. We hung out quite a bit last spring…before, well, you know..."
"Yes, I know." Jason cringes at the thought as tears begin to swell up in his eyes. "Did you know we were together last spring? That's when we broke up..."
"Yes, I do. He did talk about you- quite a bit. It wasn't like he was trying to get with anyone or dump his problems on me. The guy was in pain; I did my best to listen." Lucas reveals.
"Pain? You don't know a damn thing about pain…and why do you think Keith never mentioned you to me?"
"Well, you're coming off right now just as he explained you to be sometimes...in all due respect, you seem a bit jealous already. You haven't even met me- and Keith is gone, man."
"Excuse me? I don't think you have any damn right to judge my character. You certainly know nothing about me, and we were both angry with each other when the break up took place. Of course we weren't going to say the best things about the other…that's only natural."
"Well, in that case, don't judge my character then. You seem like you're really on the defensive. I don't know what's going on, but I certainly didn't do anything to break you and Keith up. I hope that's not what this is about..."
"No, it's much more complex than that…if you only knew. Although perhaps you do…" Jason trails off at the thought that Lucas could be lying and was truly the one who gave Keith the disease.
"Look man, we can talk in circles all afternoon- but we're not going to get anywhere. I understand you're in pain...I was too when I first heard the news of Keith's death. Look, I'm an R.N. at SF General and I need to get back to work. Why don't I call you this week and we'll do coffee? You seem like a nice guy...I understand you're in pain, man."
Jason takes a moment to consider what his next move should be. He certainly didn't get any answers this time around- would a live meeting offer different results?
"That sounds good," Jason finally answers. "I'll be expecting your call and I look forward to meeting you. I do apologize if I came off defensive in anyway; it's just been a really rough week for me..."
"No problem, Jason. Take care and we'll chat soon."
Jason sets the phone down as he thinks for a moment about slamming it against the wall. Could he have possibly hit another dead-end? He realizes he can't cope with anything if he doesn't understand it...It was the understanding of why he contracted it that he was so desperate to learn.
He then looks down at the phone list and sees Kayla Preston's number. He knew they were good friends at the time of his death, and realizes that she'll perhaps give him a little more insight into the situation. If not he would have to start from square one…and at this point, that seems like an unbearable reality.
______________________________________________________________
Scene: Landon Points Publishing
Kimberly Summers pulls her long blonde strands of hair, neatly tucking them behind her ears. She bats her eyes in a seductive manner as she dreams of the moment when the two will meet. She still isn't sure how or why she conceived this whole plot, but she certainly knows things are bound to stay interesting in the weeks that lie ahead.
She slowly opens a drawer in her armoire and pulls out a dark shorter wig. Kimberly had always dreamed of completely transforming herself- now she would get the ultimate chance to do so. She sets the wig down and takes her hair and neatly puts it in a bun behind her head. Kimberly then takes the wig, lets out a deep sigh, and sets it over her head. She is amazed at the transformation that is taking place before her very eyes.
Remember, Miss Kimberly is now dead. She was useless and always so harmful to you. There is no need to ever speak her name again. You are now reborn to a new body; a new identity shall reign supreme. Great things are in store for you now.
"Claudia Deauville."
Kimberly says the name aloud as a grim smile crosses her face. An eerie silence soon takes over the room before she pulls out her cell and begins to press the appropriate numbers to his cell. She couldn't miss a beat- everything has to be played out with complete perfection- or Kimberly would pay the ultimate price.
"Claudia, I was just thinking of you. How is your day going so far?"
"Braden, I am quite well! How are you this afternoon?" She greets the suave businessman with the warm English accent.
"Doing very well, thank you. I am actually at Landon Points Publishing right now. That Emily is certainly going to be a tough one to handle, but I'm confident that she'll fall right into my hands like putty."
"Well, you do have a way with your tongue" Kimberly grins with a seductive smile. If only he was there to see the show she was presenting.
"Why don't we do dinner this evening? I really need to learn more about this Steve Summers character as well. If we want this to work, then I need to know how both of them work- inside and out."
"That sounds great, Braden. Why don't I meet you at seven at this steakhouse I love in San Francisco. I'll shoot you directions....I'm in the mood for some prime grade-a meat."
"I have a feeling you'll certainly get that tonight," Braden flirts back.
"Alright Braden, I'll see you in a bit. And don't worry about a thing- I know Steve Summers quite well and he'll succumb to your every wish before you know it. The man is truly harmless"
"Sounds wonderful, Claudia. Our plan is going to work perfectly...and before we know it, we'll be rolling in the dough. We just need to play our cards very carefully"
To be Continued...