INSTALLMENT 37
Nico Rawlin’s Apartment:
When the elevator opens, Katie steps into the hallway and searches for Nico’s
apartment. She’s been feeling numb the last few days and hopes her meeting
with Nico lifts her spirits.
After walking down the long hallway, she comes across his door and
knocks. When he answers the door she feels a sudden burst of happiness.
She notices his chiseled biceps showcased by his tight shirt and drifts into a fantasy.
He waves his hand in front of her face breaking her out of her trance.
“Katie, come in. You’re early, go ahead and have a seat in the kitchen. I
have a Corona out on the counter with your name on it.” Nico instructs,
pointing toward the small kitchen over to right of the living room.
“Thank you for the offer but I don't drink.” Katie
responds.
"I figured you would be nervous your first time behind the camera and
thought a Corona would hit the spot. After all the effort I made to prepare
your drink, at least you can take a few sips of it." Nico says with a sly smile.
"I suppose one drink won't hurt." Katie admits.
Nico nods and resumes adjusting his Nikon dSLR camera. She makes
her way towards the kitchen and notices the Corona sitting out on the
counter. She pours it into a glass set out on the table. Taking a drink she feels
a soothing feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Just as she gets comfortable, Nico comes in and stops a few feet behind her.
He can’t take his eyes off of her and he slides his glance slowly up and down Katie's
body. He isn’t wrong to have her come over, he thinks to himself, and smiles his
devilish grin. Just then, Katie turns around and his grin vanishes.
“So are you relaxed?” Katie nods and Nico continues, “I have the cameras
ready and we can get started whenever you’re ready.”
“Yes, just give me a minute and I’ll be right out.” Katie responds, finishing
her drink.
Nico smiles before returning to the living room. Katie takes a deep
breath and keeps telling herself that modeling is what she wants to do.
She knows this is the first step toward realizing her dream. She heads
out to the living room ignoring the dizziness coming over her.
Falmont Enterprises
Gillian looks through some files on her desk when a knock on her office
door startles her. Looking up, she finds her brother, Stephen standing
outside her office. She motions for him to come in with a smile, not noting the
seriousness on his face.
Gillian gets up from her desk, “Stephen! How nice of you to visit me. How
do you like the new office? Not bad for a rookie!” Gillian marvels, looking
around her posh office before hugging her brother.
“I’m sorry to say this isn’t a social visit. I just came by to ask you one
simple question.” Stephen replies in a curt voice, “What possessed you
to tell my girlfriend about Melinda ?”
Gillian takes a deep breath, “I was expecting this. Stephen, I don’t know
what to say other than I was drunk on tequila. There isn’t any other
excuse. I hope you understand.”
Stephen shakes his head, trying to digest her answer, “Are you kidding
me? That’s the best you can do? You were drunk? Thanks to you, Alicia
assumes she’s just a rebound from Melinda!”
“Stephen, I’m sorry I blurted it out to her. I would have assumed you
would have told her. Aren’t you the one who’s always told me to be
honest?” Gillian notes Stephen’s angry demeanor and softens her voice,
“I know Melinda hurt you, at least admit to me that Alicia started out as
a rebound.”
“Why does everyone assume Alicia is a rebound?! In order for a rebound
to occur, you would have had to have ended a long term relationship,
which wasn’t the case between Melinda and me!”
“I’m not saying you don’t love her but at least admit it to yourself.”
Gillian pleades. Stephen’s brow furrows in response, “Don’t get mad at me, Stephen.
I’m just stating my opinion. I could be off base but I’m not. Just think
about it.”
“I can’t believe this! You’re not even sorry. You believe I still have
feelings for Melinda and that it gives you the right to blurt things out to my
girlfriend.”
“I never said you still had feelings for Melinda. Given your tone, this
explains so much. Before you get angry at me, think about how you feel
about both of them.” Gillian sits back down at her desk.
“I knew I was wasting my time coming down here to talk to you. Ever
since you and Dale broke up, you’ve changed. You’ve turned into a
heartless bitch overnight. Let me know when my real sister comes back.”
Stephen raises his voice with each word.
Stephen then turns around and storms out of her office. He runs into George,
who is standing at the door. Both men eye the other before they walk past.
George stares after Stephen then focuses back on Gillian.
“Did I come at a bad time? I can come back later for your
recommendations on that property.” George states.
“No. Please come in.” Gillian replies. She smiles and scrambles to organize the
files on her desk.
George smiles and enters her office ready to do business.
Foxy’s
Nina is reading one of her textbooks when she gets a feeling
someone is watching her. Looking up, she is unable to cover her mix of
dismay and curiosity as Henry stares down at her. Sighing loudly, she
motions for him to join her.
“Wow, I can’t believe you let me join you without a snide remark. Are
you feeling well?” Henry asks putting his hand on Nina’s forehead as he sits
down across from her.
“Yes, I’m feeling well. I figure why waste my breath. You’re going to sit
down anyway so why fight it.” Nina replies, pushing his hand away from
her forehead before continuing, “So what can I do for you today?”
“I just was coming in for a bite to eat and noticed you were reading.”
Henry answers, lifting up the book she’s reading before making a face,
“Gees, you’re the only person I know that reads a college textbook before
a semester starts. Are you from this planet?”
Nina rolls her eyes, “Before you continue to get on my good side, why
are you bugging me? As you can see, Katie isn’t here.” Nina states before
she resumes reading.
Henry summons the server and orders a burger with fries then
focuses back on Nina.
“You’re cute when you’re feisty. I can’t imagine a guy being able to
resist such charm!” Henry teases.
Nina sighs again, “You don’t have to worry about whether you can resist
me or not since I’m not interested. Now, why are you bugging me?”
“I know you’re only saying that because you think I’m not available.
However, I’ve come to let you know you don’t have to hold back your
feelings for me anymore! I’m a free agent!” Henry exclaims causing Nina
to look up in confusion.
“What are you talking about? You’re dating my best friend, in case
you’ve forgotten.” Nina reminds Henry. He shakes his head from side to
side with a grin, “Why are you shaking your head?”
“For someone as intelligent as you are, you should know a headshake
means no. I’m a free agent! So admire me without guilt!” Henry
responds, drinking the water he notices in front of him.
Nina slams her book shut, “That explains why Katie’s been avoiding my
calls! I should have suspected you had something to do with that. When
did this happen!” She demands.
“I broke things off with her a few days ago. My heart wasn’t in the
relationship so I decided to end things before I could cause her any pain.
Granted, she doesn’t share that view." Henry muses. "But now we can talk
about us.”
Nina just shakes her head in utter disbelief, “That’s where you’re wrong,
Henry! There is no us, and there never will be!”
Falmont Enterprises:
George sits across from Gillian, as she continues organizing her
paperwork, quietly observing her movements. She reminds him so much of her
mother, he thinks to himself patiently waiting for her to look up.
“I couldn’t help noticing that I walked in on something between you and
your brother. Is everything alright in your family?” George asks, trying to
break the ice between the two of them.
“Oh! Yes, everything is fine at home. It was just a sibling argument that
carried itself over to the office. I reassure you, it’ll never happen again.”
Gillian answers in a rush.
“Don’t feel bad. I have four children myself and arguments are
commonplace amongst them. It’s all part of having siblings, I guess.”
George reassures Gillian, who just smiles in return.
“Again. I’m sorry you had to see the tail end of that particular skirmish. I
don’t come out favorable in this particular argument so I’ll leave it that.
Here are the recommendations for that property you were interested in buying.”
Gillian replies, handing George her file on the property.
“Thank you.” George replies looking over her notes, “It's interesting you
recommend passing on this particular property. Why do you feel that way?”
Gillian takes a deep breath, “The asking price is too high, the location of
the property is in a depressed section of Hope Falls, and I don’t see how we
can use this property without major up front costs. There are structural problems
that have to be corrected before you could use it as an office building and
maintenance costs would be prohibitive. I recommend you forget the property
and look for something in a nicer area.”
George nods as he absorbs what she says, “You're right. I agree
with you on your recommendation. Good work. I’m glad your father
recommended you to me. You’ve been an asset to our company.
“Thank you, Mr. Falmont.” Gillian tries not to smile, “Is there anything
else?”
George shakes his head, “No, that was all but please, call me George.”
Gillian nods, getting out of her seat to walk George out the door.
“I’ll be keeping my eye on you Gillian. I think you have potential to go
far in this company.” George observes.
George exits her office marveling again at how much Gillian reminds him of her
mother. If he weren’t married, he thinks to himself and walks down the
hall toward his office.
Foxy’s
Henry stares at Nina, unsure if he’s hearing her correctly. He wants to
believe that the shock of learning he’s available has rendered her unable to
function. Staring into her eyes, he realizes he isn’t hearing things and thinks
about what to say next.
“Surely the shock of learning I’m available has robbed you of your senses.”
Henry quickly chastises himself for even saying that out loud, “I’m sorry
for saying that. I guess I’m curious to find out why you still think we can’t
be together?”
“Just because you broke up with my best friend, doesn’t mean we can
just date. You don’t know the code of female best friends.” Nina pauses,
noting Henry’s desire to hear the rest of her thoughts, “When one friend is
dating a guy, he’s off limits. However, when said friend ends relationship
with the guy, he’s even more off limits. Do you understand where I’m
going with this?”
“You’re just using that as an excuse to avoid talking about us.” Henry
replies.
Nina takes a deep breath, “Never mind. I knew it was pointless
discussing something as deep as friendship with someone like you. I have
to get going. It was interesting, Henry.”
Nina picks up her book and walks out of the diner. Henry stares after her
realizing he’s thrown away a relationship with Katie and was just turned down by
another woman. He's unsure what to do next since this hasn’t ever
happened to him before.
He throws some money down on the table and follows Nina
outside. Nina is walking several steps ahead of him. He walks up behind her and
puts his arm on her shoulder. She turns around in a flash and swiftly hits him in
the gut with her fist. She realizes too late who it is as Henry bends over and sinks
to the ground in pain.
“Henry! I didn’t know it was you behind me. Why are you following me?”
Nina asks kneeling down to help him back up.
“I couldn’t believe you just walked out of Foxy’s. Listen, I wanted to tell
you that I’ve never met anyone like you before.” Henry confesses, as he
tries to ignore the throbbing pain in his abdomen.
“You mean someone who doesn’t fall under your charms just because
your name is Henry Falmont?” Nina cracks,
“You’re someone who isn’t afraid to be honest with me and isn’t
ashamed of it. Throughout my life, girls have thrown themselves at me
and I’ve never had to pursue someone before.” Henry admits, “I admit
you’re a challenge but I like that your intelligent and can put me in my place.”
“Who knew I had to punch you in the stomach to get you to be so
honest. I have to admit I’m flattered you think so highly of me. It isn’t
often a guy chases after me trying to prove his feelings for me.” Nina
admits, noticing Henry’s grin, “The only bad thing is you dated my best
friend. I can’t throw that away just because you’re interested in me.”
Nina turns to leave but Henry turns her around intending to kiss her.
However, she knows exactly what he’s going to do and promptly pushes
him away.
“I’m not going down that road with you. No matter how tempting that
road is. I’m not going to throw away my friendship with Katie. I’m sorry.”
Nina responds trying to fight back her emotions as she turns to walk away.
Henry stares after Nina, wishing he had met her first instead of Katie.
After she fades away towards the horizon, he turns around and heads toward his
car.
Unknown to both of them, Lenore emerges from behind Foxy's. She stands
quietly and watches. She realizes Henry is acting like his father, but is unsure
on how to read Nina. With her feelings in deep confusion, she debates how to
handle the situation.
Richardson’s Home:
Lillian unlocks the front door, glad to be done with the hectic pace of the
Chronicle. Unloading her purse and keys on the front table, she heads
toward the dining room table to look over the mail. As she skims through
all the bills, she feels a hand caressing her backside and turns around.
Smiling from head to toe, Chase pulls her into a long, passionate kiss. A kiss
Lillian responds to even though she questions the reason behind such a kiss.
“What has you in such an affectionate mood?” Lillian asks cautiously,
focusing back on the mail.
“Is it so hard to believe that I love my wife?” Chase asks back, realizing
how affectionate he’s felt since talking to Bianca that night.
“Of course not, I’ve read many a Harlequin romance and know it’s possible.
So what brings you home early from the office?” Lillian asks, as she heads
into the kitchen. She chatises herself for putting her guilt onto Chase becaue
of her her recent lunch dates with George.
“I just wanted to spend some time with my wife. I haven’t seen you
much in the last few weeks and I wanted to make up for that. I figure the
kids are out so why not spend an evening together.” Chase replies,
heading for the cupboard to take out some dishes.
“Your right, we haven’t seen each other much this month. Sometimes, I
forget I even have a husband.” Lillian jokes, then stops when she sees his
reaction, “Sorry, bad joke. So how is work going?”
“Work is long and tedious. I’m thankful I was able to cut out early today
even though I’ll have to put in extra hours tomorrow. No worries! Is there
anything new with you?”
Lillian thinks for a second and remembers her new job setting up a booth
at Founder’s Day.
“Funny you should ask that. I agreed to help set up a booth at Founder’s
Day this year. You’ll never guess who I’m doing it with.” Lillian responds.
Chase waits for her to finish, “I’m going to be setting up a booth
for the women’s league and running it with Lenore Falmont.”
Chase almost drops the plates he’s holding when he hears this news.
“Since when have you two started hanging out together? From what
little you’ve told me, you two were not exactly friendly with each other.
What’s bought about this new development? Are you two friends again?”
Chase asks, trying to understand his wife’s secretive past.
“I want to make things right with her. Granted, she’s less than thrilled to be
working with me but I want to prove to her that I’ve changed.” Lillian
answers, stopping herself before revealing anything else.
“I still can’t get over your inability to trust me with details of your past
with Lenore. What did you do that has made her so angry?” Chase
asks, knowing she won’t tell him.
“Nothing you need to worry about, ok? It’s something that happened a
long time ago before I even met you. All I can say is it involved choosing a
guy over our friendship. It’s the standard female friendship test and we failed
miserably.” Lillian responds trying to occupy her hands with straightening
items on the counter.
“As long as you're ok, then I'm ok. What do you want for dinner?” Chase asks,
changing the subject.
“Spaghetti, will be fine.” Lillian answers, heading for the fridge to take
out sauce and grated cheese.
Chase fills the pot with hot water, thinking to himself how little his
wife trusts him. He puts that thought out of his mind and
focuses on cooking dinner.
