Natalia and Brot 11/04/2016

               

         
                Natalia  peeps out of the kitchen door and watches Preston laughing at something Jamie was saying then turns back to her task arranging the pastries on a plate. She'd known better than to look at him it had been that way between them all evening. Since she'd met him at the door there had been that instant connection between them again as if time and heartache hadn't happened. That spark of anticipation she'd always felt whenever they'd come together was still there and knowing that had instantly set her on edge. What the heck was it? She loved Brot she knew that but what was it Preston had stirred in her and why did she feel exhilarated and a sense of foreboding at the same time?
          "So what did you think of the Slater-Cortland facilities?" She heard Jamie ask as she turned to Francessca hoping to get a little clarity before going back in there. Francessca looks at Natalia knowing something was of with her all night and she knew why. Natalia was finaling being forced to deal with what she had ignored for so long.
           "Preston's being here is really driving you crazy." She asks bluntly before Natalia  even had to phrase her words. Natalia sighs in relief  then scream whispers.
           "Yes! Ever since he got here! He's like a mosquito bite and I'm having a hard time not scratching it." Francessca nods in agreement her tone understanding.
            " I get it completely you're dealing with stuff you thought you had all tucked away neatly. Preston opened the door and now it's all spilled out on the floor and you're bewildered trying to stuff it all back in there. Am I right so far?" She smiles placing the cups on the tray then reaching for the the milk to fill the creamer. Natalia nods in agreement.
              "It was easy dealing with him as a memory or even your wedding but having him right here in my face is completely different." Francessca looks at her friend reaching over and putting her arm around her shoulders and giving her a squeeze.
               "Honey that's because you wouldn't deal with it then now it's just all coming to the surface and you can't stuff it down anymore. Now you're forced to deal with them." Natalia nods in agreement then sighs heavily.
                "All I want to do right now is get through this night and go home." She says as she reaches in her pocket and checks her phone letting out a grunt. Of course he wasn't coming that was just the cherry on her night.
                 "Brot's not coming! My Dad put him on some BS watch duty tonight." She groans flopping back against the counter and staring down at her phone shaking her head. "I mean seriously could this night get any worse?" She asks looking over at Francessca her eyes almost pleading.
                  "Why don't you stay here tonight? Logan's staying with my parents, we could talk if you want?" Natalia shakes her head laughing at the ridiculousness  of the situation.
                   "Thanks I really appreciate that but no, I'm going to go home. Slip into a nice hot bath and wash this day off me." She sighs again moving towards the table and picking up the pastry tray.
                    "You ready to go back in." She says turning towards Francessca a smile plastered on her face making Francessca laugh.
                     "Come on I have the coffee tray, lead the way." She says smothering another laugh as Natalia stretches her grin to the extreme her eyes wide making her expression cartoonish.
                     'Brot walks into the lobby of the Pine Valley Inn  positioning himself so he had a good view of both the elevators and the stairs. He was annoyed at having to be there he would have much rather gone to Cessca's had a great meal some of her Grandmother Ricotta Pie  and gotten a real good bead on that Preston guy and what he was all about. Sure he was here on business and according to Natalia he would be here for awhile as he and his friend started up their new venture with Slater-Courtlandt but wasn't exactly sure how he felt about that. He'd never met him but from what Natalia said and didn't say there were still some tension between them. What type of tension he wasn't sure and that was what nagged at him. Was this guy here just to get his business started or did he have some unfinished business to attend to. Tonight would have been a great time to check that out especially with them all in the same room but thanks to Jesse and this stupid babysitting assignment he was here. He reaches for his phone checking to see if she'd responded to his last text message. The only thing she'd sent back was a sad faced emoji no words and he wasn't sure how to take that. He knew she be pissed he just wasn't sure how pissed she'd be or was she so involved with her ex that was all she had time for? God! He was just being ridiculous. It was like they had gone on some romantic dinner. It was dinner with friends and nothing had changed between them since yesterday or this morning. Why the hell was he suddenly being so insecure? He looks up as the bell for the elevator rings and the doors open. He watches the passengers exit his eyes catching his mark as she comes out and walks to the desk.
              "Ahh good evening  Ms. Montgomery. I hope everything is to your satisfaction?" The clerk ask looking up from his monitor at Barbara standing in front of him.
              "Everything is fine. If you could have someone come up and remove the liquor from the courtesy bar I would appreciate it. My religion has very strict rules." She lies smoothly keeping her demeanor pleasant but businesslike. The clerk smiles back at her his pudgy cheeks turning his small eyes into slits.
                "Certainly! I'll send someone up right away" He reaches for his phone presses a button waits a moment then directs the person on the other end to attend to her request before turning back to her.
                "Oh and Ms. Montgomery this came for you a few moments ago." He says reaching in the box behind him and hands her a sealed envelope. Barbara takes it from him looks a curiously as she mutter a thank you and walks away from him. She looks about the lobby then tears if open reading it hastily. She smiles happily to herself stuffing the note back inside the envelope and into her pocket. She presses the call button for the elevator waits a moment for the doors to open then enters looking pleased Brot noted. He places his phone back in his pocket reaching for his badge as he walks.
             "Hello! I'm Detective Brot Monroe Pine Valley Police." The clerk looks up at him surprised and a little frightened.
              "Yes sir how may I help you?"
               " Is something wrong?" Brot smiles at him hoping to calm him before he jumped out of his skin.
               " No sir nothing wrong I just have a couple of questions. Could you give me the name of the courier that dropped off that letter for Ms. Montgomery please?"
                "Oh that was delivered by USA Expedient" He replies his voice less squeaky some of his nervousness having dissipated.  Brot thinks a moment not having heard of them.
                 "They aren't local are they?" The clerk shakes his head.
                 "No, I believe they are based out of New England somewhere." Brot nods thanking him for his time and also asking him not to discuss their conversation then goes back to his seat pulling his phone from his pocket. He searches the name of the courier flipping through the home page till he came to the information he was looking for. They were subsidiary of the "Calisco Group" Jesse might find that tid bit of information very interesting.    
          

          Takes Pine Valley Chronicles Natalia and Brot 11/04/2016

Gavin, Opal and Erica 11/03/2016

           

               Gavin sits at his desk staring down at the framed photograph and feeling the melancholy that always came over him when he did. It was still a long way coming but he was going to be with them soon. Everything was falling into place. He just needed to follow the path he carefully laid out. He smiles to himself as he places the photo back in the drawer then turns to the photos on the desk in front of him. It had been a long meeting but productive. Everyone was up to date. His cast was comfortable in their new roles and getting situated downstair. Even Erica had surprised him after her initial entrance. She'd been cooperative and insightful especially after the other were dismissed and they began work on "Raising Fire". She couldn't help but be captivated. Why not Corban and his staff had done an excellent job formating the book to a working outline for a soap opera. They'd hired some truly brilliant writers foregoing the usual cycle of re-cycled writers and going with a couple of independents instead. Their ideas were fresh and the dialogue crisp and relevant to today's viewer. They even decided to give the director of their independent work a shot. Since it was in part his work behind the camera that had caught their attention as well. Erica's had also been impressed when they'd shown it to her and had agreed wholeheartedly. If she displayed more of that behavior they could actually be successful. He doubted it. It was just a ploy but there was always hope she'd actually liked it and was just being Erica. Like earlier with Opal.
               He pulls Opal's photo from the stack and smiles. She reminded him so much of her cousin Marjorie it was almost uncanny. Although, there was a softness around Opal's eyes and mouth that Margie lacked. Making the difference notable at least to him. Not that she wasn't a very fine woman but there was a kindness you could feel in Opal where with Margie there was a certain coldness about her that is until she lets you in. Then she the very best friend anyone could ask for and she had been that with him. He wouldn't have gotten this far without her. But, Opal Cortlandt was a force to be reckoned with on her own and he looked forward to working with her in the coming weeks. She didn't take any flack from anyone and stood her ground with tancity. She wasn't about to be pushed around or be lost in the shuffle. She would be a formidable host on the show. He wasn't much for whims of fancy but he'd been right about this one. He thought with a smile placing the photo back on the pile as a knock came on his door.
           "Come in." He calls waiting for the door to open relieved to see Corban come in and not Erica. He had enough of her antics this morning what he needed now was to get down to business. Pleased to see Corban was as well as he handed him the first show choice he and Erica had decided on as well as her signature on the final draft.
           "Well this is unexpected good news!" Gavin nods in approval looking over the paperwork again checking for any changes and finding none. "She agreed to all of it without the drama?" Gavin looks up surprised and impressed. Corban looks back at him as bewildered as he was.
           "Yeah it wasn't exactly easy but yeah. I don't get it either but yeah." Corban shakes his head then shrugs making Gavin feel  leery at Erica's sudden contrite attitude and wondering what she had in store for them both later. It was a good start anyway he'd take it.
             "Good. I think she's ready to start stepping up for "Raising Fire". He says looking at the pile he had on his sofa.
            "Have that all taken down to her and let her know we're meeting tomorrow at one. That should keep her busy while we finish up "New Beginnings"."He winks while Corban pulls out his phone and dials.
           "Molly it's Corban I'm in Gavin's office bring your cart I need you to run an errand."
            "Thanks." Gavin looks at him with a raised brow. Corban smiles "Just breaking in my new intern. Things are going to get bumpy I needed to know she has the chops now." Gavin nods in agreement. He had a point but he couldn't help feeling like a general sending some fresh faced kid into battle.
            Erica sits back on the sofa in her dressing room reading over the finals for the first show. She had to admit they were actually beautiful and exactly what she was looking for but she couldn't let them know that. She still needed to show some tenacity or they wouldn't have that healthy fear of her they should. She still needed to keep the upper hand. She also had to admit she was really intrigued by "Raising Fire" Gavin had been right as much as she hated to admit that too. Of course there were definitely some changes that would need to be made nothing drastic.  What she liked to call clarification. She chuckles to herself as someone knocks on the door.
           "Ms.Kane I have a delivery from Mr. Blackwood and Mr.James for you." Molly calls from the other side of the door hoping she could get this over with! She'd been so excited about the job she'd forgotten about this draw back. This huge drawback!
           "Delivery?" Erica yelps coming to the door and throwing it open. Shocked to see Molly standing on the other side smiling back at her.
           "Molly!" She gasps "What are you doing here?" Erica says peering out into the hall checking it in both directions.
            "He's not here Ms. Kane I'm Corban James' new intern and he asked me to bring you all the stuff on "Raising Fire". Molly says pushing her way past Erica and piling the folders and envelopes on the table. "Mr. Blackwood said to tell you there's a meeting on this tomorrow afternoon and that your new office would be ready by tomorrow morning." She says wheeling back towards the exit ignoring a shocked Erica.  "All the information is in this envelope." She says handing her the thick envelope. Erica looks at her closely. She could see a lot of Travis in her face but there was also Barbara there too. Especially the way her yes lit up at a challenge and the hint of a smirk teasing the corner of her mouth.
            "You're very efficient." Erica quips wondering how she could use this newfound situation to her advantage and it wouldn't hurt to build a peaceful working relationship with his niece. Even if she was an arrogant brat like her father.
            "I try to be. I know everyone's time is valuable." She says turning to leave hoping to get away without further interaction. She saw that look on Erica's face. As soon as she saw her she was thinking of ways to use her to get close to her uncle through her.
              " Tell Mr. Blackwood thank you. Oh and I hope you enjoy your time here Molly." Molly smiles politely. Thinking how much was she really going to enjoy her time here now that Erica was back in stalker mode. That was one thing she hadn't thought of when she'd applied for the position.
               "I will Ms. Kane and thank you." She says with a nod then move back down the hall toward the elevator. Erica watches her leave a moment then close the door to her dressing room. This wasn't going to be easy if nothing else she was as smart as her father and just as shrewd as her uncle. No this wasn't going to be easy at all. Maybe she should give Opal a call. After this morning's meeting she didn't want there to be any hard feelings. Besides she was going to need someone on her side when they started filming. Yeah she should give her a call that's what best girlfriends were for!
               "Opal lounges on the chaise lounge in her bedroom reading over the the packet from the meeting this morning. When she said okay to this she hadn't thought it would be so much work. Gavin assured them all that it was only because of the retooling of the show and she prayed he was right. This was exhausting! She place it all to the side and looks out the window at the late summer sky enjoying the smell of early fall in the air. Then reaches for her ringing phone hoping it wasn't another call from the studio. Then smiling when she see her cousins number flashing and picks up.
              "Hey Margie! How are you?" She smiles sitting back down on her lounger happy for the distraction.
               "I'm doing very well my girl couldn't be better! How about you?" Marjorie smiles as she pours tea from the pot into her cup. Opal sighs leaning back against the cushions.
                " Honey if I had known it was going to be this much work I would have told them to keep walking!" Marjorie laughs.
                "Come on! In a few days when the rush is over you're going to be telling me how much you love it!" They both laugh.
                 "How's Tad doing?" Marjorie asks listening for telltale signs in Opals sigh.
                 "He's doing better each day but he's still going to be in there awhile. Between work my business and now this I'm kind of stretched thin. But I have to admit it's been kind of fun too. Hey! I heard from Palmer that Wellington and his friends closed on there deal with Slater-Courtlandt. Congratulations!" Marjorie laughs but her brow furrows her voice getting serious.
                 " It means a lot to the people of this town. That's why you can't let it slip to anyone about your relationship to Wellington. It's seems silly but it's very important." Marjorie says sounding urgent. Opal rolls her eyes to the ceiling as she answers.
                 "I know! I know! Honestly you and Palmer both!" She sighs as Marjorie laughs I know honey it's just very important for my family and everyone else in town I can't help it." Opal laughs.
                 "I get it honey and I promise you. You've never let me down when I needed you. I won't let you down. I just wish you would tell me why. " Marjorie sighs in relief her tone brightening. She knew she could always count on Opal in a pinch.  " I promise as soon as humanly possible I will tell you everything. Anyway let's move on to more pleasant things tell me all about your new career? Am I going to like the changes to my secret morning pleasure?" Opal laughs.
             "I really think you'll like it better. Because you know I'll be there. " She says with false modesty making them both laugh.


     Takes Pine Valley Chronicles Gavin, Opal and Erica 11/03/2016



   

Cassandra and Rego 11/02/2016

               

                  Cassandra Sits across the living room from a quietly fuming Rego. She'd sat quietly watching him covertly not daring to say a word. She was waiting for him to settle on an emotion but his face was still a kaleidoscope. The best she could do was wait, If she knew him as well as she though she did he would say something to her first that's when she'd be able to gage her explanation. Right now the best thing she could do was to silently wait.
                 Rego stares at her a moment his revolution waning it way up his throat. He could barely suppress the urge to grab her by the neck. She made a fool of him once again. She'd embarrassed him in front of  his family again. Now he was married to her. He knew what she was waiting for. She was waiting for him to say something to her. No matter what he was damned if he would say a word to her. She was going to be the one to do the talking. What he needed to was wait her out. She'd eventually have to talk she had a lot on her mind now. She was probably wondering why her tears and blubbering had no effect on him or her raging and accusations. She'd cried for a few minutes once they'd gotten up to there part of the house. She raged about his father and his cruelty and his having sat there and done nothing. Then accused him of being weak and then the Francessca comparison. That had been the hardest part to remain silent but he'd seen his silence had hurt her more so he'd kept it.  He'd sat in this chair just waiting patiently for her to talk about what his father had just said about her. In all her twaddle not one mention of what his father had actually said about her time in Europe with St. Jacques. Until she bought it up there was no point of him just sitting here doing nothing he had actual work to do.
             He walks across the room to the desk pulls his laptop from the drawer and turns it on then reaches for the legal pad in his briefcase and reads through the pages stopping when he gets to the date he circled for tomorrow afternoon she had till then. He flips the page then sets it down and types in his password. He opens his email skipping the ones from the office and straight to the one Francessca had sent him and opens the file. He smiles as he clicks through the photos stopping to stare at the one she'd taken earlier. He smile as he goes back to the moment between he and Logan and then the one he'd had with his mother. She'd wished him happiness with Cassandra he thought then laughs bitterly as he closes it moving on to his next email reaching back and scratching his back where Cassandra's stare bore a hole through him.
              Cassandra glares at the photo on his laptop wishing she could burn it! She hated that brat but what she hated more was the way he looked every time he saw it. That weird goofy look that came over his face the whimsical smile she broods. It was just a reminder she hadn't gotten that bitch out of his life. The only good thing the brat was good for was the sample she'd gotten from him. She'd had to dip into her savings but she had what she needed to pay Joe off. All she had to do was wait till they went to the hospital and Joe would take care of the rest. At least now other than the baby there was nothing more to hide and she could focus her energy one that. Screw you Oliver she was one step ahead of him. She wasn't leaving this house anytime soon and not one day before she was ready. Rego could stay or leave with her. It was really up to him.
            She had to admit if he did leave her she would miss him. She let him get closer to her than any man she'd ever known. He actually cared about her and cared for her. Deep down she actually felt a little guilty for hurting again. She'd made him start to trust her and she'd broken it and now his father was breathing down his neck and they had been literally banished to this side of the house at least when he was with her. She couldn't really blame him she'd be angry to if it were her but he'd had to understand she just couldn't bring herself to tell him. How do you tell someone that the only way to survive was to do what you were told and try to move up the ladder. It wasn't like Devereaux had given her a choice. Once he decided he wanted her there was no turning back and no way to say know and survive. Her proof of that was in a sanitarium in France. That wasn't going to be her end. She liked where she was right now and she liked who she was with. She had no intention of changing it anytime soon if ever.
            What the hell was he doing anyway? Why the hell was he working? How the hell could he be working? He'd ignored her since they come back from Brooke and Oliver's. He hadn't even bothered to comfort her. He'd just sat in that chair and stared at her watching her un-moving and unmoved. Even now it was if she wasn't even there in the room with him. She needed to change that but how? Maybe she should try a different approach. She could afford to be honest with him now. There was nothing more to really hide from there. If they found out about Gigi which she was sure Oliver had. He was probably holding it for a later dates blackmail she could beat him to the punch and just be completely honest about that part of her past. He knew what a brute he was so he'd understand the why if she threw in Gigi there would be a bigger why. That wouldn't be a lie either. No, the truth would be her best defense for now. She just needed to play it right and she couldn't go to him now. She needed to wait she needed to play the hurt she'd felt when he just stood there and let Oliver attack her work to her favor. What she needed to be was cool and aloof and keep the hurt in her eyes which shouldn't be hard at all. He had hurt her that was also not a lie. She smiles inside warming to the truth thing and rises from the sofa. She walks to her bedroom closing the door quietly behind her then into the bathroom turning on the bath water. She needed a long soak and good long think if she was going to pull this off just right. The one thing that put her mind at easy was having taken care of her baby problem.
             "Don't worry little one momma's going to make sure you have everything you ever want and deserve and your Daddy is going to pay for it all ." She whispers smiling brighter.
              Devereaux looks at his phone checking the message from Joe then dials Lola phone number.
             "Hello Dr. Colgate I'm sorry for calling so late this is Devereaux St. Jacques.
             "Good evening Mr. St Jacques how may I help you." She says coolly sounding her normal professional self. Good he thought.
            " I haven't been feeling well of late my doctor recommended I do a follow up with you and have some blood drawn." He say in the same cool manor Lola following suite. What ever he had up his sleeve he was keeping this call on the up and up. Anyone listening would think it was completely normal. She flips through her calendar seeing an opening for the following morning. The sooner the better she thought.
            "I have an opening around ten thirty tomorrow." She says her fingers poised at the keyboard.
            "Thank you that would be perfect. Thank you so much for squeezing me in."
             "You're welcome sir see you then." She says hanging up the phone. Devereaux smiles to himself as he places his phone in the charger. In a few days he would have the answer he needed and Cassandra would be getting the answer she wanted.


Takes Pine Valley Chronicles Cassandra and Rego 11/02/2016

Molly, Jack and Barbara 11/01/2016

     

         Molly sits up on the bed wiping the tears from her eyes as Jack knocks on the door and calls to her.
        "Come in?" She says bracing herself for whatever was coming concerning her mother. Since she was sure she had told him something. More than that "I just wanted to see you bull". Her being here had very little to do with wanting to see her and she needed to know what it was. She thought as he came through the door.
         "Hey honey how are you doing?" He says coming to sit on the edge of the bed taking her hand in his.  Molly smiles then leans in giving him a quick hug.
           "Thank you so much for not letting her stay here." She says letting go as she snuffs back a tear. Jack sits back and sighs not wanting to tell her what he knew he had to.
            " Talked to Bianca she told me what happened with your mother." He says trying to be as gentle as possible knowing how sensitive and fragile she was at the moment.
            "Why didn't you tell me honey?" He asks his voice comforting and pleading at the the same time making her somehow feel better but didn't lighten the embarrassment she felt.
             "Because it was just so embarrassing Uncle Jack and I came here to try to forget it." She murmurs looking away from him.  Jack sighs again then clears his throat trying to hold back his own emotions.
            "I would have understood sweetheart and I will stand by you whatever you decided. If you don't want to see her I'm not going to force you and I will try my hardest to make sure Barbara gives you the space you need. Okay?" Molly smiles then reaches over giving him a hug.
             "Thank you Uncle Jack. And not just for today for everything." She says kissing his cheek before releasing him. Jack smiles back at her happy to see the relief in her smile.
             "But you have to promise me two things.' He says with a reassuring smile making Molly grin.
             "Whatever you want." She says looking more cheerful then she had in hours.
             " You have to come talk to me you can't hide anything from me and two you can't let your mother's being her distract you. You promise?" His voice taking on a serious tone giving her no other option than to agree. Besides it would be nice to actually be able to talk to him a lot easier than the cat and mouse game she'd been playing to avoid the subject.
               "I promise I won't. I promised a very smart woman that I wouldn't." Jack smiles back at her liking the determined tilt of of her chin.
               "I'm glad. If you want I can get out of here and let you get some rest" He says moving toward the door.
               "Uncle jack!" She calls to him just as his hand reached the handle.
                "Yeah honey." He answers back as he walks back towards her.
                "Why do you really think she's here? There's no way it's all about seeing me." Her tone curious yet cautious catching him by surprise.
                " I have to be honest honey but I'd have to agree with you. I wasn't buying any of that either. But I promise you I'm going to find out. And if you hear anything you'll tell me promise?" Molly smiles back at him nodding in agreement.
                  'I promise I will. Night Uncle Jack." She says sliding down under the covers. Jack smiles turning back as he opens the door.
                  "Good night honey." He says closing the door behind him.  Molly lays her head on the pillow thinking about Barbara and trying to look at it objectively. She was still a lawyer so her visit could have something to do with a client. Tomorrow she was going to have to look up every single one of them. She had to know why she was here before she destroyed everything.
                   Barbara looks around her suite pleased with what Jack had found for her much better than what she could afford on her own. That was at least until she got paid. Squashing that scandal had taken all the money she had and then some. She walks over to the wet bar. She was really tempted but she needed to keep her head straight. At least till finished her business here. When she was done here she'd be back on easy street. She looks away from the bar then back to her phone wishing he would hurry up. She was exhausted seeing Molly had worn her out and all she wanted right now was a hot bath and some sleep. She jumps as the phone rings then calms herself letting it ring twice before answering it.
            "Hello?" She says trying to keep the trepidation from her voice.
            "Hello Ms. Montgomery I hope you have everything I asked for?" Barbara looks over at her suitcase as she talks going through her mental checklist.
             "Yes, everything is ready." She says praying that their meeting would take place in the morning so she could get out of Pine Valley as soon as possible.
           "Very good I'll send a messenger with instructions. Have a good evening." The caller hangs up leaving Barbara angry and frustrated. She tosses the phone across the bed then stares at the mini bar again. She quickly grabs her purse and heads toward the lobby. First things first she needed them to remove the liquor from her room. The last thing she needed was to botch this up with her payday so close.


Takes Pine Valley Chronicles Molly, Jack and Barbara 11/01/2016