INSTALLMENT 48 
 

 
Richardson Residence:


  It takes every ounce of willpower within Gillian to enter the kitchen.  Standing outside
the door, she can hear her mother unloading the dishwasher, organizing all the
glasses in perfect unison as always. 

  "So obsessed with making everything perfect", Gillian thinks to
herself, "Could it be possible that her mother could hide such a secret from her family."

  She takes another deep breath and enters the kitchen.  Right away, she notices Nina
sitting at the table, engrossed in a textbook for school.  Taking a seat across
from her sister, she tries to play it cool and wait for her sister to leave the room.  The
urge to ask her mother about Stephen keeps her on edge.

  As if on cue, Nina looks up and gives her a funny look.

  "What has you on edge, Gil?"  Nina asks point blank.

  "Nothing has me on edge.  What would give you such an idea?"  Gillian defensively
answers.   Lillian turns around, with her full attention on her daughter.

  Nina rolls her eyes, "Oh, I don't know, maybe because you just freaked out over
my simple question.  Sorry for asking."  Nina retorts before burying herself
back in her book.

  Gillian is about to reply when she notices her mother staring right at her with a look
of concern.

  "Honey, is something bothering you?"  Lillian asks, her tone tinged with concern. "If
there is, you can always come to me."

  "No, just had a little trouble getting to sleep last night."  Gillian replies, silently
willing Nina to leave the room so she could talk to their mother privately.

  Lillian smiles, placing her hand on her daughter's shoulder then resumes putting the
glasses into the cupboard, "I'm here for you whenever you need me.  Just remember that
I'll always be honest with you."

  "Like you've been honest with us about Stephen." Gillian thinks to herself.  An idea
comes to her, she thinks for a second, then proceeds.

  "I actually was watching something on television yesterday and I found myself strangely
bothered about the situation."  Gillian explains, watching closely to see if her mother 
was listening. 

  "It wasn't one of those soap operas, was it?"  Lillian asks, "You know those shows aren't
reliable when it comes to real life.  I swear everyone's been married to everyone on those shows."

  "No, it was a talk show and the topic was women who lie to their men about the paternity
of their children."  Gillian pauses, trying to gauge her mother's reaction, not noticing
Nina's attention squarely on her with a curious look on her face. "Can you imagine a woman
who would pass off another man's child as her husband's?"

Lillian drops a glass onto the floor, watching it shatter into many pieces.



Outside Falmont Mansion:


  Jonathan's Blue Prius comes to a stop in front of the house and he turns
to face his brother with a supportive look.  When he sees that Henry's staring off into
space, he gently shakes his brother back to reality.

  "We're here, time to face the music."  Jonathan says, pushing the gear into park.

  Henry looks at the front door and sighs, "Couldn't we just drive around the neighborhood
for another hour?"

  Jonathan shakes his head, "No can do bro.  Come on, you know dad's slaving away at work,
if that's what you are afraid of?"

  "It isn't dad at all.  I know I'm a disappointment to him and everytime he looks at me,
he just sees a screwup." Henry sarcastically remarks. "I just feel bad about what Katie's 
going through, with all those pictures posted on the internet.  When I heard those guys 
talking about it, it made my blood boil and I just lost my temper.  If I ever find Nico, 
or the asshole, who put those pictures up, I'm going to make them regret they were ever born!"

  "Such strong words which reminds me of what I wanted to ask you." Jonathan says, turning to 
look at his brother, "I mean you broke up with her and then you defend her. Why did you break 
up with her when it appears to me that you still strongly care about her?"

  Henry takes another deep breath, "There were two reasons why I broke up with her.  The
first reason, involved the fact that we never saw each other, with her work/school schedule
and my school schedule, it was like we were dating in name only.  Secondly, I kind of
developed feelings for her best friend."  Jonathan nods slowly, "So I didn't think it was
fair to be dating her when my feelings were divided."

  "Does her best friend know how you feel?"  Henry nods, "What was her reaction to your
declaration of love?"

  "Well, she pushed me away and asked me how I could hurt her best friend.  I know she has
feelings for me, at least I think she still does, but won't act on them."

  Jonathan laughs, "Probably because she actually thinks of others before her own selfish
needs."

  Henry gives his brother a dirty look, "Ok, so I'm selfish!  By the way, how are things
going with you?  How's that weird guy you were mooning over doing?  What was his name?"
Henry pauses, "Oh yeah, Thomas.  How is he doing?"

  Jonathan tenses up, "I'm sure Thomas is doing well, though we don't talk to each other
much.  Nice try changing the subject, but we are talking about you."

  "Oh, we've talked enough about me.  Tell me something, why did you insist on driving me
back home from the city?  I could have easily riden back on the Metra.  What gives? And
don't tell me it's because you want spend time with your little brother, fess up."

  "Fine, I guess you'll find out eventually."  Henry waits, eager to hear what his seemingly
together brother has done to screw up, "I've decided after much time and thought to close
down my art gallery."

  Henry's mouth drops open, "You love that art gallery! Why are you closing it?"

  "The economy, pure and simple.  Right now, I'm breaking even and that's only because I'm
using my trust fund to keep it afloat."  Henry continues to stare in surprise, "You haven't
heard the kicker, when I close the gallery, I'm moving back home.  So don't worry, I'm
sure dad will be turning some of his disapproval my way."

   Henry laughs, "I guess that makes me feel a little bit better." He then looks
towards the front door, "Are you ready to go in?"

Jonathan nods, "Yeah, I figure if mom is home, maybe she can soften dad up later."

   Henry nods as they both exit the vehicle.  They look at each other and then proceed
toward the front door.



Falmont Enterprises


  Elizabeth patiently waits for the elevator to stop on her floor, secretly willing the
elevator to break down before reaching its destination.  She figures any delay in seeing
her father is welcome given what he told her yesterday.

  At that second, the elevator stops on her floor and the doors open.  Exiting the
elevator, she looks around and relief washes over her at seeing the empty cubicles. Karma
is finally on her side, she thinks to herself, as she makes her way quickly to her office.
Not looking where she's going, she runs smackdab into Thomas causing her Starbucks to spill
all over her creamy white blouse.

  Thomas feels a rush of embarassment, "Elizabeth, I'm so sorry.  I guess I wasn't watching
where I was going."  He notices the coffee stains on her blouse and quickly goes to help her
when she puts her hand over his.

  "Don't worry about it Thomas."  Elizabeth replies, "I guess the old saying haste makes
waste really does apply in all situations. What brings you in so early?"

  Thomas pauses for a second, trying to come up with a delicate answer. "I was just doing
some overtime, per orders from your dad.  A little damage control on the whole Nico Rawlins
mess."

  Elizabeth cringes inside at the mention of that name, "Yeah, I figured my little blunder
at hiring him would need your experienced hands."  She then looks at her watch, "Look at
the time, I need to get myself situated in my office.  Again don't worry about the blouse,
I have an extra one in my office in case of coffee malfunctions."

  She starts to make a hasty retreat but feels Thomas's hand on her arm, "Elizabeth, I know
about the pictures he took of you."  She looks at him embarrassed. "Remember, I
am in the PR department and your father is deciding on how best to handle the situation."

  Taking a deep breath, she decides to ask him a question, "Thomas, has he given any
indication on how he wants you to handle things?"

  "It's too early to say, but I'm meeting with your father this afternoon to discuss it."
Thomas replies, "I'm really sorry."

  Elizabeth just nods, realizing one of the possible outcomes would involve her removal
from her position or from the company altogether.  She then kicks herself for getting
mixed up with the likes of Nico in the first place.  Looking at Thomas, she marvels at how
things have changed for her since first laying eyes on him.

  "What are you thinking about?"  Thomas asks, a look of concern on his face.

  "I was just remembering the first time I saw you at O'leary's and how much I wanted to
meet you."  Elizabeth replies. 

  Thomas smiles at the memory, "If I recall correctly, you bought me a drink.  I believe
it was a Tom Collins."  Elizabeth nods, "I remember how flattered and confused I was over
having an attractive woman buy me a drink.  What makes you bring that up?"

  Elizabeth sighs, "I guess because that happened before I went to New York and got mixed
up with Nico."  She pauses for a second, "It figures that the attractive guy is gay.
Plus, he is interested in my brother.  If I couldn't date you, at least you had the good sense
to like my brother."

  Thomas tenses up at the mention of Jonathan, "I need to get some work done before I meet
with your father."  He starts to walk away then turns around, "Take it from me, don't live
in the past."

  Elizabeth watches Thomas walk away, thinking about what he just said.  She walks towards
her office knowing that it was going to be a long week.  The way her father keeps everyone 
hanging, it could be days before she learns her fate.



Richardson Residence:

 
  Lillian looks down at the shattered glass on the ground and wonders to herself how she
could have dropped it.  Looking at her daughters, she instantly remembers what Gillian
said and shakes her head.

  "It can't be possible that Gillian knows." she thinks to herself, then notices that they
are getting up.

  "Don't get up, I'll clean up the mess."  Lillian says, kneeling down to pick up the
broken pieces.  She accidently grabs the broken glass on the sharp end, causing blood to
pour out of her finger.

  "Mother, you just cut yourself." Nina states, running to the bathroom and back with a
bandaid for her finger.  "Listen, why don't you sit down.  Gillian and I can pick up the
pieces."

  Lillian pauses for a second, then puts the bandaid on her finger and heads for the door.

  "I have somewhere I have to go.  Thank you for cleaning up my mess."  Lillian calls from
the front door before slamming the door shut. 

  Both Nina and Gillian finish picking up the broken pieces of glass in silence. After they
 finish, Nina turns towards her sister, ready to start questioning her.

  "Before you say anything, I have a good reason for doing what I did."  Gillian volunteers.

  "This I'd like to hear.  I'd love to know why you are obsessing over that stupid story
Alicia told you last night."  Nina folds her arms, waiting to hear what her sister
has to say.

  "How do you know it was a story?  She could have heard our mom talking to another woman
about Stephen." Gillian answers.  "For pete's sake, she dropped that glass right after my
last statement!  Not only that, she seemed a million miles away.  I'm starting to believe
more and more that Alicia is telling the truth."

  Nina shakes her head, "Am I hearing you right?  You think just because our mother dropped
a glass, that means she's lying about our brother's paternity?"  Gillian nods, "Gil, you
are dumber then I thought.  You need more concrete proof then that!"

  "How do you propose we obtain more concrete proof?  I'd be very interested in hearing
what the all perfect journalism major has up her sleeve.  Wow me with your knowledge."  Gillian
challenges.

  "Why don't we ask our mother point blank?  I mean your passive aggressive way of going
about things is just as bad as if you tell lies.  Why not put all your cards out on the table?"

  Gillian starts laughing, "And you call me stupid!  Nina, do you honestly think she would
actually tell you the truth if you asked?"

  Nina nods, "Yes, I do."

  "Hello, anyone home?" Gillian laughs, "She would deny it.  I'm sure of it."

  "Gil, it isn't worth pursuing unless we have concrete proof."

  Gillian gets an idea, "I think we need to do a DNA test.  All we need is some of Stephen and Mr.
Falmont's hair."

  Nina rolls her eyes, "Next you're gonna say that we should run out and buy a DNA testing
kit."  She notices Gillian's eyes light up, "I was just kidding!  We are not going to do
that.  That is the stupidist thing I've ever heard of."

  "No, it's not.  You want concrete proof and I can't think anything more concrete then a
DNA test.  Can you?"  Gillian challenges.

  Nina shakes her head, partly out of frustration and out of jealousy over not thinking of
the DNA idea herself.

  "I admit you do have a point.  However, we do need to keep this on the down low.  No need
to concern everyone, especially Stephen, until we know for sure.  Can you imagine what
would happen if he found out?"

  "Find out what?"

  Both Gillian and Nina turn around to face a confused Stephen.