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Continued...

Emily's voice grows harsh as she rolls her eyes and replies to Vanessa's bantering on the phone. "Must you go on incessantly like some mad woman? You need a damn muzzle, Vanessa!"

"I could just as easily storm into Steve's office like a mad woman and I'm sure he'd be highly interested in what I have to say." Vanessa shoots back.

"Your idle threats don't scare me. You're all talk...you always have been. This is just like your declaration to be a better mother to Kayla. You can rave about it all you want, but we both know it's never going to happen."

"Are we really back to my parenting skills again? Get over yourself, Emily. Just because you're barren and old and never had any children of your own..."

An enraged Emily begins fuming on the other line. This is certainly not a topic that Emily wants to discuss. "Look, why don't you try to do something productive today. I'm sure I'll see you in the bar later at the estate and we can chat then...for heaven's sake, you should just put a bed in that damn bar. You're there every second of the day- but that's another topic entirely. I have to go now."

Emily slams the phone down as she sees Steve walking towards her office through the window. He knocks quietly and Emily quickly invites him in.

"How's everything going?" Steve greets her.

"I am well," Emily nods, as if she's trying to convince herself. "How are you, Steve?"

"I've been better to be quite honest." Steve lowers his head. "I'm worried about my boy. Both Diane and I have had no contact with him for weeks."

Emily tries her best to reply with something reassuring, although she realizes that she can't truly understand what he is going through. She shoots back a look of sympathy and replies, "I'm sure he's just busy with the new teaching position. I mean, can you imagine the work load and the pressure that a new teacher has to face?"

"Yeah, I'm sure he's just busy...but still, I'm his father. It's my job to worry."

"Very true- and you're a great father, Steve."

Suddenly Emily's eyes grow wide with disbelief when she sees Diane Davison entering her office.

"What in God's name..." Emily trails off, prompting Steve to turn around.

"Diane." Steve pauses for a moment after calling out her name. "What are you doing here?"

"You know why I'm here, Steve. We need to talk about a few things."

"I think he's busy right now, Diane." Emily rolls her eyes. "Do you not know how to pick up a phone and call?"

Diane glares back at Emily as she clenches her fist. "Emily, please excuse us."

"Excuse me?" This is my damn office!" Emily scoffs.

Diane nears Emily and surprisingly takes her by the arm and grips tightly. Steve and Emily both look at her in shock.

"Emily, either you will leave, or I will personally escort you out of this office."

______________________________________________________________


Scene: The Preston Residence.

Jason locks eyes with Kayla and calmly awaits her response. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, Kayla begins to form a response.

"Yes, I know Lucas..." She finally reveals. "He was a friend of ours. Well, I mean, he still would be if I would have kept in contact with him after Keith's death. I haven't spoken to him since last summer to be honest."

"A friend? So nothing more to Keith than just a friend?" Jason decides to get straight to the point.

Kayla bites her lip and replies, "no, just a friend."

"That doesn't sound too convincing."

"Well, it was complicatedlook, why are you wanting to know all of this? Why not let things stay in the past?" Kayla inquires.

"Because, Kayla, it's complicated. There are things going on that you are unaware about...I'm sorry if I'm being too vague, but I really need to know the truth about this Lucas guy."

"He's a great guy. He's honest; a great sense of humorI can't say a bad word about him, Jason."

"Did Keith share your views? Or did he see something more in Lucas?"

"Jason, that's not fair. I can't speak for Keith. I do know that it was a turbulent time in your relationship with him. I mean, you guys were fighting on a regular basis it seemed."

"If there was nothing going on," Jason continues, "then why didn't Keith ever mention him?"

Kayla's surprised that he's even asking such a question. "Well, don't you think that would have stirred things up? I mean, Lucas is a pretty attractive guy. Can you honestly say that you wouldn't have had a problem with them being friends?"

Jason takes a moment and ponders the question. As much as he hates it, he realizes he would have been quite insecure about their 'friendship'. While he hasn't physically seen Lucas yet, his mind wanders and jealousy begins to arise. He can't fathom the idea that his ex-boyfriend was running around with some attractive guy he didn't even know existed.

"I guess I would have been," Jason hates to admit. "So, to your knowledge, nothing ever happened between them?"

Kayla shakes her head slowly, while still avoiding eye contact. "No. Nothing to my knowledge."

"Alright then," A suspicious Jason responds as he tries to lock eyes with her. "I guess that's it then. I really appreciate your honesty, Kayla."

"No problem, Jason. Anytime."

They both quickly rise to their feet as Kayla walks him to the door. They are soon met by a confused Rick who is entering the home.

"Who was that, Kay?" Rick asks a moment later.

"Jason Summers. He was Keith's ex. He just wanted to visit and talk about things for a bit."

"I see. How is he holding up after everything?"

"I don't think very well," Kayla responds. "He acted strangely"

"So, do you have a minute?" Rick asks, quickly changing the subject.

"Sure."

"Do you have anything planned tomorrow afternoon?" Rick inquires.

"Not that I can think of."

"Good. Well, Val is going to watch Haylie so we can have some time to ourselves. I also was wondering if you would pay a visit to someone with me."

"Who are we seeing?" Kayla raises a brow.

"Dr. Michaels. I think it would be in our best interest, Kay."

"A psychiatrist? Really, Rick?" Kayla lets out a deep sigh and paces around the room.

"I think it would be best. After recent events, I think it would really help things between us."

"So we can air our dirty laundry to a complete stranger? God knows you're probably going to make me out to be some madwoman!"

"That's not going to happen, Kay."

"Well, I don't know that...I just don't feel comfortable with it all. I'm sorry."

Rick lowers his head and responds, "well, why don't you think about it? I just don't think things can continue the way they are now. If we don't go to counseling, I honestly don't see our marriage lasting too much longer."

"Is that some kind of threat?" Kayla shoots back.

"Not, not at all...it's just the reality of it all."

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