Barbara, Lenka and Sergei

     

         Barbara opens her eyes and looks around the room not sure what was happening. She didn't remember anything after he'd offered her the drink. She'd drank it quickly letting the liquid warm it's way down her throat and then nothing until she'd awakened on the sofa that she now sat. All the normal signs of a name had been removed from the room. There wasn't an ashtray, matchbook or flier anywhere she also notice there wasn't a phone. The curtains had been drawn and the room lit by the lamps on the table giving her no way of telling if it was day or night. She looked around for a clock but even if she found one she still wouldn't be able to tell if it was day or night any way she chastise herself!
         She raises her head blinking back the throbbing pain that threatened to make her head explode. She turns her attention toward the low angry voice finding one of them Sergei she thought his name was lounged on a chair in front of her watching her intently. While the other grimaced then growled something into the phone.  She was frightened more frightened then she been in her entire life. They still hadn't told her what they wanted from her. The only thing she knew was that she owed them and they were going to make her pay them back. How? Was the question that that kept echoing in her head and with every echo her fear mounted. She wished she'd never gotten into that limousine when she'd left the jail. She'd been so sure Molly or Jackson was the one who'd sent it and paid the bail. She'd never imagined it would be these two. Now she was trapped this seedy room with two gangsters!
       She glances over at Sergei who's eyes never left her and suppresses the chill that threatened to quake her entire body. She breaks away from his stare and looks over to the other who seemed to be the leader was still on the phone speaking a language she didn't recognize to some unknown person and he seemed annoyed as he hung up the call then turned to his friend still speaking in the same language.
       "Okay I just got off the phone with Anna. She wants us to keep her here for a couple of days. Not sure how I'm going to explain that to my wife." Lenka grumbles as he reaches for the bottle on the table and fills the glass before drinking half of it in one swallow. Sergei laughs.
        "Don't worry about it we can take turns and I'm sure she'll have some other's pitching in." He says with a laugh and a wave of his hand.
         "That's what she said but she doesn't have anyone tonight and I have to be at some stupid thing her idiot brother is having tonight! How am I supposed to get out of that?" Sergei shrugs.
          "You can go I can watch her for a couple of hours. I'll be fine. Besides she'already afraid of me." Lenka looks over at Barbara who's fear was almost as obvious as her need for a drink.
          " You have a point. I bet if you gave her the rest of the bottle she'd pass out in no time."
          "And be absolutely no trouble at all." He says making them both laugh.
         "No," Lenka says with a shake of his head. "She drank half that bottle before we got here and she looks pretty much sober to me. Did you forget the other night at the casino? No, I think it would be better if we has two of us watching her." Lenka finishes pulling the chair out from the table and joining Sergei. Both starring at her and sipping their drinks while they decided what to do.
          "I have my tools in the trunk I can rig something so she wouldn't be any trouble at all?" Sergei says taking another sip of his drink as Lenka rubs the stubble on his chin.
          " Like what?" Sergei leans back in his chair a moment.
           "Lets see I've got a couple of bolts some chain and some other stuff. It will take me about seven minutes ten minutes tops." Lenka smiles and nods his head.
            "That could work but what if she tries to make some noise?" Lenka asked as Sergei shrugs.
             "Gags work." He says making them both laugh. "Don't worry about it. I rig something to keep her from running after that you can go take care of your business. Worse comes to worse I can just knock her out again." He shrugs as he rises and walks toward the door pausing as he passes her." "Don't go away" He says turning toward Barbara and blowing her a kiss before closing the door behind him. His last action sending a shiver up her spine.
              Please don't hurt me." She says struggling to keep the quiver from her voice. "If you let me go I can I cane get you money." Then is shocked into silence by the burst of Lenka's laughter.
            "Sweetheart if you had money you wouldn't be here. Don't worry no one is going to hurt you as long as you do what we say, so relax."
            "What are you going to do with me?" She whisper looking like a trapped animal to Lenka as she back herself into the corner of the couch. Her knees drawn up against her chest.
            "In a couple of days you have a little job to do for me. After that you can go do what ever you want. My suggestion would be to stay out of the casino but, until then you are going to stay right here understand." He leers at her as he pulls back the his jacket to reveal his gun. "I can see by the look on your face you're going to be a perfect angel."
           "Pleaseeee don't hurt me I swear! I'll get your money!" She begins to cry fear gripping her freezing her to her spot.
            "Again, I already know you don't have any money. You received the last payment you're going to get from your previous employer which you you lost at the poker table to me Since you can't pay it off you're going to work it off." Lenka says as he comes towards her carrying the chair and sits down in front of her his arm draped over the back of it holding the gun in his hand. Barbara begins to shiver under his stare as her mind jumped from one scenario to another.
           "What are you going to do with me." She manages to croak out between her sobs. Lenka smiles menacingly knowing he had her exactly where he wanted her. His point reinforced when she jumped as Sergei came back in the room his tool bag and materials in hand. He nods to Lenka then walks into the other room. Where almost instantly the sound of a drill can be heard.
           "Oh no please no! No! Oh God No!" She begins to screams.
           "Calm down!" Lenka yells over her screams then begins to laugh.
           "You are a very attractive for a woman your age but not really a high demand item you understand. Besides, that would be a complete waste of your intellect. But, just so you know you may have to use how shall we say your feminine wiles."
          "What do you want me to do?" She asks fighting back her panic and tears as Sergei comes back in the room and nods to Lenka.
          " I'll let you know when the time comes. In the meantime you're going to stay here and while you're here you will be cooperative and quiet. If you cooperate in a couple of days you'll go home and maybe with a little something in your pocket."
          "What if I don't?"
          "Don't become a problem Mrs. Montgomery I don't think you would like the way we resolve our problems. I said women your age weren't in high demand I never said the demand didn't exist." He says with sneer sending another shiver of fear through her. "Now get up and go into the other room Sergei will show you what to do. Oh and remember I'll be right behind you so please don't get any brilliant ideas it would be a shame to mar your lovely figure with bullet holes." He says waving the gun and signaling her to stand.
           Barbara takes a deep breath and then stands and walks slowly into the room wishing she had a drink and a way out.

Anna, Devereaux and Barbara
Molly, Dani and Barbara

*Copyright Takeitish Pine Valley Chronicles 2018



          

JR and Ryan

         

        JR steps off the elevator at "Cambius" smiling broadly and looking around his old haunt. He greets several people on his way through the office thanking them for their congratulatory greetings with all the smiles and pleasantries the greetings required. He makes his way through the executive suites toward Ryan's office not bothering to stop and speak to Ryan's assistant who couldn't do more than sit with her eyes bulged and stammer something incoherent as he passed giving her no time to announce him. 
      "Good Morning! Mr. Lavery is expecting me." He winks as he strides through the door of Ryan's office closing it politely behind him. Anyone watching would think it was just another friendly drop in but JR knew better and so would Ryan shortly.
         "Morning Ryan!" JR say coolly stopping in front of Ryan's desk the later looking up from his computer smiling and looking confused.
         "Good Morning JR. Did we ahh have an appointment I forgot about?"
        "Oh, no I was just in the area and I thought I'd stop in for a moment." He says causally pulling over a chair and sitting directly in front of him. His eyes cold the smile still on his lips giving him a sinister look that was unnerving Ryan thought.
        "Since you're a "drop in" kind of guy. You know what I'm talking about Ryan." He smiles slyly meeting Ryan's confused stare.
         "What exactly are you driving at JR?"
         "I'm not driving at anything. I was passing by the building and thought I'd stop in and say hello. Although now that I think of it that could be just a little disconcerting. Don't you think so Ryan? I mean especially when it keeps happening over and over again?"
         "Yeah." He asks knowing exactly what JR was referring to. JR continues in the same cool tone noting the light of recognition that just went on in Ryan's head.
         "You know like when someone just happens to be where your having lunch, shows up at your house, then again at your office. I mean something like that could be interpreted in this day and age as stalking."
         "Is there a point to this conversation JR?" Ryan interjects growing bored with JR play at intimidation. JR continues speaking as if Ryan had never spoken at all. His manner and tone still held the same polite coldness. A trick his father had taught him. He could tell he was getting to Ryan even if the later tried to hide it but his saucer like wideness of his eyes were a dead give away.
         "Oh I was just getting there. Rebeka, Aj, Endre and I are a family and next week we make it official. Nothing and no one is going to get in the way of that.''
         "Explain to me exactly why you're here again?"
          "Don't play games with me Ryan you know exactly why I'm here."
          " Please refresh my memory"
         "I told you nicely before so lets make this your last warning. This time take my advice stay away from my family. Most especially stay away from my fiancee. She doesn't love you. Hell man she barely knows you. In fact and I'm using her words right now. She finds you creepy and thinks you're a stalker. It was everything I could do this morning to keep her from filing charges. If it wasn't for the account we are working on with "Cambius" I would have let her." He lied Rebeka didn't even know he was here. She didn't have to. Colby had told him more than enough yesterday and he had seen enough of Ryan's flirtations with Rebeka of his own.It had taken everything he had just to convince her to do what they'd done.
         "So, take my advice and just back the fuck off. Understand? Because, if there's a next time you will deeply regret it"
        "Are you threatening me JR? What are you going to do? Beat me up? Want to meet at three o'clock in the park?" Ryan laugh's knowing that in any physical confrontation he could probably take JR. JR smiles back at him knowing exactly what he was thinking. Knowing he was wrong. Everyone thought because of his stature he was an easy mark but when you'd been in as many fights as he had you learn a few things. Much to the surprise of  arrogant men like Ryan Lavery.
        "I don't want to Ryan and sexual harassment lawsuits are so bad for business. Do you think "Cambius" is in such great standings financial that you could take a hit from the multi million dollar law suit we will slap you with? Not to mention the hit your personal holding would take in the civil suit. I've already consulted my lawyers gave  him the evidence. Such as the security tapes from our home and businesses a list of witnesses. He assures us we have an excellent case. Especially given your past. You can avoid all of that by just staying out of our lives."
         "You sound worried Bro. Are you afraid that maybe Rebekah might have feelings for me?" JR laughs uproariously.
          "Is that what you think?" He laughs again. "Rebeka loves me and she loves our family. What she doesn't love is you. The only feelings she has for you are revulsion and fear. In that order. She's not your "Princess" Ryan. I don't know how many times she or I and everyone else has to tell you. Gillian is dead and has been for a long time. Rebeka is not her reincarnation. You need to move on and stop living in the past or desperately trying to recreate it before you find yourself back in a prison cell." He says rising to his feet and walking towards the door. He stops and turns back towards Ryan who stands angry but silent. "I hope I've made myself clear here."
          " Crystal." Ryan says flatly.
          "I'm glad. See you around." JR says opening the door as Amanda was about to knock.
          "JR! Nice to see you! How's Rebeka?" She yelps quickly hugging and kissing him.
          "She's great!" He smiles back watching Ryan's notable grimace at the mention of the wedding.
          "You guys must be so excited for the big day!"
          "We're both really looking forward to it!"
          "So are Jake and I! Oh and tell her I'll be a little late tonight but I'll be there! I wouldn't miss it for the world! Give AJ and Endre my love!" She says stepping through the portal as JR holds the door.
           "I will! Oh and Ryan," His voice going back to the chilling tone he had before Amanda's arrival. "don't forget." His eyes piercing Ryan's like daggers before existing giving Ryan no chance to reply. He smiles to his self as he steps out of the way of the man passing smiling even broader as he reads the lettering on the paper in his hand.
            "Don't forget what?" Amanda asks looking at Ryan confused by JR's cold manner and tone. Ryan smirks taking the folder from her out stretched hand and opens it as he speaks.
            "Nothing important, actually it was nothing at all." 
            "Ryan Lavery?" Comes an unfamiliar voice from the open doorway.
            "Yes, I'm Ryan Lavery may I help you?" The man ignores Ryan's greeting as he drops a packet of papers on the desktop.
             "You've just been served sir. Have a good day"

Ryan, Colby And Rebeka
JR and Ryan 
Adam and Lola JR and Rebeka

Natalia and Preston

       
        
        Natalia looks down at her phone looking for a message from Brot. She hadn't heard from him since last night and she was sure she would have heard from him this morning. She thought shoving her phone in her pocket as she pushes the door of the "Serving Spoon" open and is greeted by a line.
        "Great!" she mutters to herself then pulls her phone from her pocket and checks again still nothing from Brot.
       "Come on Brot answer me." She mumbles slamming the phone back inside her pocket and staring unseeingly at the menu board as she waited. She'd texted him last night before leaving "Confusion" to let him know she was on her way home and hadn't received one back which had infuriated her so she'd sent him one telling him if he couldn't bother to answer her back don't bother coming back either. She hadn't meant it but all the same he'd obviously taken her up on it. She'd been just so angry! It was yet another evening they'd all been hanging out and Brot couldn't come! It wasn't because he was assigned anything! Oh no! This time the big doofus had volunteered for duty! 
        She'd been left once again with the ribbing's about her imaginary boyfriend from everyone and it was really starting to feel that way. Especially with Preston being there with that all knowing smirk she hated. Jeeze, he was so pompous and so annoying with a smile that never stopped melting her heart. God he was still so so sexy. The thought  bringing back memories of late nights and Saturday afternoons making love in their dorm. Talking into the wee hours of the morning and waking up in his arms. She could almost feel them around her as the memory became more vivid.     
      "Next!" Came the call from the counter startling her back to the present and she steps forward.  
       Why the hell was she allowing thoughts of Preston to invade her mind? She hadn't thought of him in years and now she couldn't stop thinking about him. Why? was it like Cess said because she hadn't dealt with it or was there something more? She wasn't sure. All she knew was it was starting to have an affect on her relationship with Brot and she needed to find the answer some how even if it meant meeting Preston for lunch or coffee or whatever. She thought with a sigh as she stepped forward absently reaching for the phone in her pocket and checking it again. Still nothing. She grumbles sticking her phone back in her pocket.
         She didn't know what was happening to them. She and Brot had been solid up until now. She knew she loved him. It wasn't the same as what she'd felt with Preston but she knew she loved Brot. So what was happening to them? 
       "Next!" Came the call allowing her to finally step to the counter and place her order then step to the side and wait a moment. She reaches in her pocket and checks her phone already knowing nothing from Brot would be there before she looked. She leans back against the wall while she waits pulling the phone from her pocket and scrolling to the messages Preston had left her over the past few day. She'd finally read them last night after Brot hadn't returned home. It was probably why she was feeling the way she was. 
        His texts had been sweet and poignant bringing back memories she'd almost forgotten along with the feelings behind them giving her a confused longing for thing past and what could be. She'd read them over and over but had yet to answer him her anger wouldn't let her but she also couldn't bring herself to delete them either.
      "Your orders up!" The clerk called from behind the counter. Natalia places the cash on the counter. She picks up the beverage carrier and bag then walks past the dwindling line and on to the sidewalk. She weaves her way to the corner and walk the short distance to the park. She was glad she was meeting Francessca this morning the exercise would do her good and the conversation would be even better. She thought as she walked through the entrance and headed down the path stopping dead in her tracks as she came to the object of her quandary.
         "What are you doing here?" She snaps pulling his attention from the screen of his lap top.
         "Working" He mumbles still typing on the keyboard as he speaks. "It's a nice day and you know I always work better outside." Natalia looks at him her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
         "Did Francessca set this up?" Preston stops typing and smiles. 
         "I haven't spoken to her so I have no idea what you're talking about. Second why would I bother to stalk someone who can't take two seconds to answer a text?" 
      "I said everything I had to say the day you left me. Wait if I think about it you did all the talking back then too." 
      "Because you ran off and just like now you refused to talk about it." 
      "What was there to talk about? You chose your work over me and it looks like you made the right choice considering the huge profit you just made." 
       "My God! You still don't get it do you Natalia?"
       "Maybe I don't since you're the genius why don't you explain it to me?" 
       "How can I when you won't even take a moment to listen or even read the texts I send you?"
       "I'm right here right now spit it out!"
       'All I wanted back then Natalia was a little time a little space to finish what I was working on but then just like now with you it's all or nothing! You're the one that walked away I didn't."
     "I walked away? Really? I walked away?"
     "Oh my bad ran away head held high!" 
     'What did you expect me to do? You said you didn't want me I didn't need to stick around for the details." 
     "Maybe if you had you would have known I just wanted to slow down. I just wanted a little time so I could finish my work."
      "So you admit you chose your work over me?" She snaps back.     
      "No, you made that decision for the both of us! I'm not the one that walked away from us Natalia you did!" 
      "So now it's all my fault?" She spits back his words striking deep making her anger begin to burgeon on rage. 
      "You're only angry because you know I'm right! I was getting too close and you know it. You were looking for any excuse to run!"
   "That's not true and you know it!"
   "If it isn't true then why didn't you answer the door when I came to see you? Or any of my calls or emails or text? You ran Natalia and you're still running!" He laughs bitterly.
    "What was I supposed to do? You told me you didn't want me anymore Preston!" 
    "That's not what I said!" 
    "It doesn't matter how you said it Preston! The results were the same! You broke my heart! I was in love with you Preston and you broke my heart!" 
     "I know and I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I was in love with you too Natalia and I still am." He says pulling her to him and kissing her giving her no time or ability to resist as she submits to him fully welcoming his kiss. The feel of his lips on hers filling her with emotion she'd long buried. Her heart lurched and her body longed for more as she leaned into him luxuriating in the warmth of his taunt chest against hers. Her fingers itched to run along the sinewy curves of his back as his kissed deepened. Instead her trapped fist crushed the handle of the carrier she held in one hand and the bag in the other. God she didn't realize how much she'd missed him and how right she'd felt in his arms until he released her leaving her breathless.
      "And you know you're still in love with me too." He says as he  smiles that know smile she hated. Then turns and retrieves his computer case from the bench and walks away leaving her feeling wanton then ashamed as the phone in her pocket rings and thoughts of Brot fill her mind.   

Natalia and Preston 
Natalia and Brot

*Copyright Takeitish Pine Valley Chronicles 2018    

Pete and Jeanine

     

          "Hello there gorgeous!" Pete says pulling up to Jeanine standing on the sidewalk in front of her parents home. He puts the car in park then hops out quickly wrapping his arms around Jeanine's waist and pulling her to him then spinning her in a circle.
          " I missed you last night!" He whispers in her ear before kissing her.
          " Mmmm," She purrs enjoying the close moment between them before pulling free of him.
          " I Missed you too. How are your parents?" Pete smiles broadly his happiness and excitement almost boiling over.
           "My parents are great never better! I've never been better!" He say wrapping his arm around her waist as they walk up the driveway to her home then stopping to kiss her again. 
           "Wait a minute you are way too happy what's going on?" She giggles up at him the joy on his face becoming infectious.
           "Can you keep a secret?" His voice low as he looks around them before continuing her head bobbing in agreement.
           "You, Ms.Thompson are looking at the new CEO of Slater-Cortlandt Electronics." He says smiling proudly moments before Jeanine leaps into his arms.
            "Oh my God!Oh my God! Oh my God! Baby that is fantastic! I'm so proud of you!" She squeals as she smothers his face in kisses then hugs him tightly.
             "So when do you start?" She asks as Pete place her back down on the ground in front of him his arm still wrapped around her waist as he talks.
             "We're making the announcement on my Mom's new shows premiere episode. You should have seen her she was so excited! I'm not sure it was all my promotion, her being the one to announce it and interview me or her being able to one up Erica." He laughs at the memory making Jeanine laugh.
             "I love your Mom." She says with a laugh grasping his hand as they walk her admiration inflecting her voice. "She's one of the strongest, toughest women I know. What I really love about her is her ability to stay true to herself. Not a lot of people can do that especially in the social circle she's in."  Pete smiles guiding her to the swing on the porch and sitting. Jeanine sitting happily beside him her eye drawn to Pete's well carved thigh showing through the fabric of his slacks as he flexes setting the swing in a rhythmic motion.             
             "I've always thoughts so. I don't think I would have made it through my teen years without her. No matter what happened she always found a way to make a nerdy little kid and then a nerdy teenager feel really special."
             "And then you met me and turned into a swan!" She says with a sigh then giggles at the expression on Pete's face.
             " So are you saying I was an ugly duckling before I met you?"
              "You know what they say behind every great man is a great woman." She teases.
               "Besides, I always thought you were a swan Pete Cortlandt."  She says then kisses him again.
               " You know I've got the rest of the morning free." He growls pulling her in to his lap and kissing her deeply wishing they'd gone straight inside instead of stopping on the porch. He couldn't believe how much he'd missed no longed for her. It had only been twenty four hours since they'd been apart. If he had his way it would never be more than work hours ever again. He thought pulling her close and kissing her deeper his fingers reaching for the buttons of her blouse.
             " I don't think we have enough time my family will be back soon." She says wishing they'd gone straight to her room liked she'd planed as she pushed his hands away only to have his other hand pulling at them. She couldn't blame him. If she had her way he'd be stripped naked right on the front porch. Pete was beautiful inside and out. She had to admit outside was spectacular. He was built like a Greek statue why none of the girls at PVU had never taken any real interest in him was beyond her. Maybe it was that goofy part of him she loved. Like the day he'd come home after first meeting Preston and Chase and they celebrated by going to the carnival and eating funnel cakes. Maybe because most of them had grown up together they just stopped noticing.
           She'd noticed him all through high school. They'd been in the same classes all the Science clubs together and chess club and she'd always found him cute and funny. They'd even had a little flirtation she'd thought before realizing he couldn't see anyone but Colby Chandler and his desperation to be in her crowd. So she'd moved on. She'd dated a some guys along the way and Pete a few girls neither anyone serious. Even then some how they always ended up in each others orbit. But, it wasn't until they'd met again in Dr. Slater's chemistry class that everything clicked for them. Since that day they really hadn't been separated from each other which is probably why she'd missed him last night more than she thought possible. Pete was funny and kind gentle strong, brilliant and sexy. It was all she could do to keep her hands off him. There was just something about him. She'd knew she loved him after their first date. She thought snuggling against him.
              "I have an idea why don't you come to the studio with me and afterwards I'll take you out on a night on the town! The skies the limit!" He says bolting forward almost throwing them both of the swing. Jeanine looks back as Pete grins awkwardly back at her as she grasps his arm and pulls herself upright.
              "Sure Id love to but are you sure we can afford that? We just spent all our savings on vacation remember?" She asks her expression quizzical at Pete's devilishly grin.
             "It gets even better my new salary is like five times what I was getting. So that apartment we were saving for? We can stop saving and start looking!"Jeanine sits back against the cushions in awe her mouth agape.
             "Wow! This...this is incredible Pete." Pete sighs and leans his head back against the swing.
              "Yeah I can barley believe it myself and it's so much responsibility." Jeanine reaches out and holds Pete's hand in her's and gives it a gentle squeeze.
               "Don't worry about that now honey. You can deal with all that when you get the office tomorrow. You've worked really hard you deserve it. So today just enjoy all fruits of your labor okay?" Pete smiles at her pulling her hand to his lips and kissing it.
             "How did I get so lucky?" Jeanine blushes prettily her hand reaching out of it's own accord and stroking his cheek.
              "I'm the lucky one." She says before getting lost in his kiss again moments before car tires crunched the gravel in the driveway.
               "Mmmm Pete." She says pulling away and quickly checking her reflection in the window as Pete stands then checks the time on his phone.
                "Listen I've got to go change. I'll be back to pick you up in an hour okay?" He says leaning in and kissing her quickly.
                  " I love you Jeanine Townsend" He smiles down at her kissing her quickly.
                  "I Love you too Peter Cortlandt." She grins back watching him jog down the drive as her parents walk up.
                  'See you later Mr and Mrs Townsend" He yells as he passes them both stopping and stepping aside as he passes.
                 "Hello Peter!" They call after him in unison.
                 "What's young Mr. Cortland's hurry?" He father says handing her one of the bags of groceries in his arms.
                 "Nowhere just off to greet his future and if you'll both excuse me I have to get ready to meet him there." She says walking into the house leaving both her parents more confused than when they initially asked the question.
             
               Palmer, Opal and Peter

*Copyright Takeitish "Pine Valley Chronicles" 2018