SCENE ONE
**The Chancellor Mansion**
"She's NOT staying here." Jill finalized, before finishing off her drink and slamming the glass down on the table. "And that's that."
"In case you've forgotten Jill, this isn't just YOUR house. I have just as much a say in who stays and who goes as you. And if I have to put up with COLIN, then YOU are going to just have to deal with Nina." Esther quipped.
With a slight smirk, Nina glared at Jill and then she chuckled. "Sounds fair to me."
"Oh please, you wouldn't know fair if it jumped up and slapped you in your poorly dyed hair." Jill quipped. "Listen, it's no secret that I'd rather go on with my life pretending that Nina Webster never existed. But if you MUST stay here, let me remind you that you are a guest of Esther's. Therefore, I don't expect to see you around here...and definitely not anywhere near any of MY things."
Nina laughed. "I assure you, you don't have to worry about me taking an interest in any of your uhh-..." she glanced down at Colin who sat on the couch. "THINGS."
"I resent that." Colin muttered.
"And just how long are you going to intrude? A day? A week?-"
"Jill, does it really matter?" Esther interrupted. "Nina is a guest of mine, and a friend of Katherine's, and-"
"Oh please Katherine didn't like the woman any more than I did."
"Katherine and I were great friends!" Nina exclaimed. "How could you stand there and say that?"
"Oh sure...by the time she was old and senile, she learned to tolerate you." Jill looked down at Colin, and then she looked around the house. "Well I guess house meeting's adjourned, right? Now can my husband and I get back to what we were doing?"
"Oh Jill please spare us all the details." Nina said shaking her head.
"Careful dear, your envy is showing." Jill spoke, just as the doorbell began to ring. "Oh for Heaven's sake...am I going to have to put a NO TRESPASSING sign on the door?" she called out, as she walked to the front door and opened it. Seeing Lauren standing there, Jill smiled curiously. "Lauren-..." she whispered.
"Surprised to see me?" Lauren called out. "Jill we have to talk about what you've done, and I'm not leaving until I get some answers. REAL answers this time." she finished, before pushing her way into the house.
SCENE TWO
**Jabot Cosmetics**
"And I was thinking that since the GBJ Project is so successful, we could really get it in syndication, and maybe get the first season released on DVD." Jack spoke as he stood up from his desk and walked around to sit on the edge of it. "In fact, I was talking with Jill earlier about possibly going into the archives and pulling out the footage of the original Glow By Jabot kids, and tie it in-..." he looked at Kyle. "You know, sort of like a package deal."
Silence.
"Of course then we'd have to probably get Jill to pose nude for the cover of the DVD release." he finalized before chuckling.
"You don't have to do that." Kyle answered, still not looking up from his phone. "I'm listening to you Dad, I'm just multitasking."
"Well I'd appreciate if you could multitask while engaging me in conversation, especially since this is YOUR neck on the line and you're in control of this entire GJB project. Which I must say, you're doing an incredible job, despite your total lack of interest in any of our recent business meetings."
Kyle sighed. "It's just a lot going on."
"A lot with this brand new fiancée you've waltzed back into town with?" Jack questioned. "She's definitely beautiful, but-...MARRIAGE Kyle? Don't you think it's a little-"
"Let me guess: EARLY?" he said before chuckling. "Dad, Emma and I have been dating for over a year now. We're in love, and I knew that no one here in Genoa City would understand. But luckily for us, none of you HAVE to understand it."
"But you were just in a total different headspace when you left. You'd just heard the news about Summer, and you had such a complicated relationship with her, and-..." Jack shrugged his shoulders. "I just want to be sure that you know what you're doing."
"I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm marrying the woman of my dreams, Dad. Don't you remember how that feels? When you married Phyllis and you felt that the two of you were going to spend the rest of your lives together?" He paused, and then sighed. "Okay, maybe that was a bad comparison, but-...Emma and me really love each other. This isn't a hoax, or some random thing that just happened. She's going to be my wife...and this is something that's permanent. And I know it may seem unconventional for you all who know very little about her, but for us, it all feels just right." he spoke confidently.
SCENE THREE
**Summer Newman's apartment**
"Summer, no offense, but what exactly gives you the right to say something like that to me?" Emma said, sitting on the couch.
"Look, the Glow By Jabot project is a reality series, and I'm sure even in Oklahoma they have television channels that show reality series. You know what they are all about, and you just-...you don't bring the necessary 'presence' onto the screen that is required."
"Says who? YOU?"
"YES, ME!" Summer exclaimed quickly. "Emma, I really don't think you should take this personally. I mean, I'm sure you'd do well behind the scenes like Kyle, or possibly as a prop girl or something, but-...you're not a star. You don't have what it takes to be a star, and trust me...I know these things. I was a spokesmodel for Jabot BEFORE I landed this job."
"And how exactly did that work out for you? I remember something about popping pills?"
"Okay, you're really trying to hit below the belt, but it won't change the fact that you just DON'T CUT IT." Summer replied aloud. "It's as simple as that."
"Well luckily for you, you aren't the EP. Luckily for ME, my husband to be IS the EP."
Summer threw up her eyes, visibly annoyed, and Emma shook her head in slight amazement.
"You're unbelievable." Emma whispered as she glared into Summer's eyes.
"Just admit it, will you? Once and for all...I've seen how you look at Kyle. I've HEARD your advances toward him, and I've even caught you asking some of the interns to diminish some of my screen time. So I want to hear you say it, Summer." Emma called out as she stood up from the couch. "Tell me that your REAL problem with me is because I'm about to marry the man that YOU love. That's what this all is, isn't it? You're JEALOUS."
SCENE FOUR
**The Newman Ranch**
"Come in sweetheart." Nikki said with a smile as she widened the door, allowing Noah to come in.
Behind him entered Draya, and then he closed the door behind her.
"Well where's Courtney? She on the way?" Nikki questioned.
Noah looked around awkwardly and then he half-smiled. "Uhh, actually no. She got held up at work, and then she said she had to run some errands, so I just decided to bring Draya."
Nikki's eyes met Draya and a chilly smile forced itself onto her face. "Oh well hello Draya."
Draya half-smiled and then timidly waved her hand.
"Well..." Nikki continued as she turned and guided them into the living room. "Noah your mother is on her way, along with Mariah. Summer called and said she had some things to tie up with her new show, and your grandfather of course is-"
"Still shutting himself off from the world." Noah interjected before shrugging. "I really wish I knew what we could do."
"Oh honey don't we all?" Nikki replied. "I think until he gets Newman Enterprises out of the grips of Adam once and for all, he'll just-...stay there. I mean I've tried everything within my power to bring him out, but-..."
"Sounds like depression." Draya cut in.
But seeing the expression on Nikki's face, she once again withdrew herself, and sat down on the couch silently.
"You know, Draya could be right." Noah said as he poured himself a glass of water. "I'm thinking maybe Dad should see a shrink."
Nikki laughed. "That will be the day. You know how Victor is. He's a very proud man...very self-sufficient. He wouldn't feel comfortable with a psychiatrist coming in to evaluate him. And I've definitely already tried it anyway." She looked at Noah and smiled once again before sighing. "So enough about Victor...how's work going?"
"Well...Adam definitely isn't the best boss in the world, but I think I'm getting used to working at Newman again. And...despite all of the chaos going on around there, it just feels like I belong, you know?"
Seeing the inspiration in Noah's eyes, Nikki gleamed with pride.
"That's because you DO belong." Draya interjected, as Noah sat next to her. She smiled from ear to ear as she playfully nudged Noah in his side, but then seeing Nikki's disapproving eye, she slowly moved away.
"Uhh...can I get you two anything while we wait for the others?" Nikki called out. "Miguel made the most moist and delicious batch of cookies that I think I've ever tasted. Absolutely divine." she said, before quickly turning and walking off into the kitchen.
Noah chuckled at his grandmother, and then looked at Draya. "You're awfully quiet. I don't think I'm used to that."
"Just taking it all in." Draya responded, looking around the living room. "It's not every day I'm sitting in the living room of Victor Newman. I mean, of course I've heard all about it, and I've dreamt of how it would feel, but I never thought I'd see the day."
"It's just a regular old house." He said shrugging. "Besides, the REAL dream would be sitting beside a hot guy like me, right?"
Draya laughed. "Always the modest one, Noah Newman." she stammered sarcastically as she continued laughing.
Yet over in the corner, Nikki stood watching the two of them, completely not amused.
SCENE ONE
Jill closed the door and followed Lauren down the hall, almost in a childlike manner.
"Lauren, I'm so glad you've decided to talk this out with me. I mean, we're sisters and-"
"How the hell could you betray me?" Lauren exclaimed, spinning around to face Jill. "You SOLD half of my company to some stranger, and now you're expecting me to come here and try to rationalize things with you?"
Awkwardly Colin stood from the couch. "I'll just head upstairs and get prepared for later." he whispered.
"No...you stay right there." Lauren demanded, with her eyes still fixed on Jill. "You-...you SUED me for half of Fenmore's. You inserted yourself into my LIFE, into my BUSINESS...and-...Jill I accepted you as family, and THIS is how you repay me?"
"It was a business decision, Lauren. Nothing else."
"A business decision that could possibly RUIN me! Oh, but of course you don't care about that, do you? You sold half of the company for your own selfish gain because at the end of the day, no matter how many years pass, Jill Abbott still only looks out for number 1...JILL ABBOTT."
"You're being unreasonable." Colin attempted.
"And YOU." Lauren began, turning to face Colin.
"This has your disgusting little dirty fingerprints all over it. So what did you get out of it, Colin? Huh? Did you owe the mob more money? Did one of your ridiculous little schemes backfire? Huh? How did you convince my loveblind sister to sell half of a COMPANY that she owns? Because I know this wasn't just on a whim."
Jill sighed and looked down at the floor. "Look, Lauren I know you're angry, but-...we can sit down and hash things out."
"I don't want to hash anything out. You see, my father is DEAD. And all I have left of him are memories, and his company. A company that I watched him build from the ground up. A company that allowed me to live comfortably my entire life...a company that I have put my own blood sweat and tears into Jill. And the MOMENT you found out that you were nothing more than some bastard child, you set out to find a place in this world. Oh, and as soon as you got an inkling that your father could possibly have had money...and a legacy that he left behind, you sunk your teeth into it like a hungry shark. You didn't stop to think how I would feel about it, or your OWN kids...no, it was just all about YOU."
Awestruck, Jill glared into Lauren's eyes in disbelief.
"And I allowed you to. I allowed you to step in and take half of my company away, and I don't know...for some reason, I felt that maybe you'd matured through the years and you were able to take that and make something out of it. I thought-.." Lauren hesitated, feeling her emotions about to overtake her, and then she continued. "I thought that once I got used to the idea of having a sister around town and a business partner at the office, that maybe you'd learn how to coexist and get along with another woman. Especially one that is your BLOOD."
"Lauren, you know I never meant to hurt you."
"Well, ya kinda did." Lauren said with a pained yet sarcastic grin on her face. Tears had filled her eyes, and then she shrugged. "As of now, I am equal partner with a man I've never even heard of. A company that isn't even identified by the BBB."
"Oh please." Colin said. "His name is Sebastian Nichols and he runs a highly successful company in England."
Lauren looked at Colin for a second, visibly dumbfounded, and then she shrugged. "Oh...well I guess that makes this all alright, doesn't it? You didn't sell half of my company to a scam. You actually took the initiative to find a proper businessowner overseas to sell half of my company to without my knowledge. How incredibly thoughtful of you."
Colin smiled. "You see? We DO care about your feelings, Lauren."
"YOU DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT MY FEELINGS!" Lauren yelled. "I mean...for Christ's sake...I am no longer sole owner of my own company. How the hell am I going to explain that to Fen and Scotty? Huh? How do I tell my children that their grandfather's company has been swindled out of my hands by none other than their ungrateful, greedy, conniving, vindictive aunt...JILL." she said, before returning her attention to Jill.
SCENE TWO
"You know that Summer isn't dealing well with Emma's presence, don't you?" Jack spoke.
Kyle nodded. "Summer's young and-...she's very attractive Dad, but she isn't the right woman for me. She still has a lot of maturing to do as far as I am concerned."
"And that is understandable, I just don't want her to be hurt in the process."
"She won't be hurt. I mean, she's moved on. Or at least she's pretending to. How many scenes have I had to endure of her making out with that Carlos guy, or flirting with Fen? I'd hardly believe that she was holding out solely for a chance at something with me."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Jack responded. "Kyle, Summer was crushed when you left town, and after the whole nightmare with Austin, she's been-...she's been pretty hell bent on trying to relive what could've been with you."
Kyle chuckled. "I understand that you care about her Dad, and so do I. But I'd be a fool if I were to give up what I have with Emma just on the small chance that I could have something with Summer. Emma is everything that I've ever wanted in a woman. She's smart, she's beautiful, she's incredibly kind, she-...she makes ME a better man."
Jack's eyes widened. "Whoa...well will you look at that? My son is legitimately in love."
"I am. And I'm going to make this work." he said, just as his phone began to vibrate. Quickly he looked down, and then he sighed. "Dammit."
"Something the matter?"
"Emma...she uhh-...she went to confront Summer about some of the schemes she's been pulling off camera for the show." Kyle responded as he stood from the chair. "I should get over there in case something goes wrong."
"Goes wrong?" Jack repeated. "They're both two adults...I'm sure they can handle a little disagreement. Besides, we haven't finished our meeting yet."
"Dad, no offense, but it's really going to have to wait." Kyle called out as he rushed out of the office.
Jack sat still in his chair, slightly curious. Of course he knew that Kyle was in love, but this was something different. There HAD to be more to the story.
SCENE THREE
"Jealous? Of you?" Summer quipped before rolling her eyes. "If you weren't already incredibly annoying enough, now you're beginning to show signs of desperation."
"ME desperate?" Emma replied with a smile. "That's completely unbelievable that you'd say that, seeing as how YOU'RE the one going through so many channels to get me taken off of the show, all because of your jealousy of my relationship with your ex crush. Summer, Kyle told me all about what happened between the two of you, and if his blatant disinterest in you wasn't enough, fate itself intervened and allowed you two to believe that you were SIBLINGS. It doesn't become more plain and clear than that."
"You know absolutely NOTHING about my life or what I went through with Kyle." Summer interjected. "And the only reason you've crashed into town making your presence known all around as his fiancée is because you are nothing more than an insecure country hick who can't live up to Kyle's standards. You knew it beforehand, but now being here in Genoa City and seeing how compatible he is with ME...you can't handle it, can you?"
"What I can't handle are your delusions, Summer. Listen, I didn't come here to argue with you. I came here to let you know that I'm not going anywhere...no matter what you do or say. I'm going to remain on the GBJ project, and I'm going to remain right at Kyle's side...whether you like it, or NOT."
SCENE FOUR
"And here we are..." Nikki spoke with a quaint smile as she re-entered the room carrying the tray of cookies. "They are simply delightful."
Both Draya and Noah took the cookies, and after a bite, Draya's eyes lit up. "Wow...these ARE pretty incredible."
"Miguel's the man." Noah explained, looking at Draya. "I keep intending to kidnap him and hold him captive at my place, but-"
"But you'd have to clear a path from the doorway to stove, wouldn't you?" Draya interrupted, before laughing.
Noah joined her in the laughter, as he rolled her eyes. They both laughed, until Nikki cleared her throat aloud. "I wonder what's keeping everyone. I don't want the food to get cold."
Noah looked around, as if expecting everyone to just walk in at once, and then he frowned. "I don't know...I guess I should call mom and Aunt Vicky and see what's keeping them."
"Yeah." Nikki responded, sitting next to Draya and smiling. "It'll give us girls a chance to talk."
Noah, with his phone in hand, quickly exited the living room, allowing Nikki to turn around to face Draya. "So...how are you enjoying your time in Genoa City?"
"It's pretty great. I'm really trying to get accustomed to some things."
"I hear you're working for Jill Abbott now." Nikki responded.
Draya hesitated for a moment, and then she smiled. "I don't know if I should admit to it. I've been filled in on a little of the history that you two share."
"Oh dear, well Jill will be Jill." Nikki said with a slight chuckle. "I think the more that you get to know me, the more you'll understand that I'm typically a very easy woman to get along with. As long as you're a respectable woman with morals and values, then-" she shrugged. "We're fine."
"Well it's good to know that I'll have another ally around here."
"I wouldn't jump to such rushed conclusions." Nikki remarked, standing from the couch. Without waiting, she continued. "Draya, I've noticed that you and my grandson have become fairly close friends."
Confused, Draya frowned. "Yes, he's pretty awesome."
"I'm sure. And while I am very aware that Noah is a friendly guy, I can't help but bring your motive into question."
"Oh great." Draya chuckled. "Now you sound like Courtney."
"Well, she is his wife." Nikki retorted. "In fact, I wouldn't blame her one bit if she called foul on this thing you have going on with Noah."
"THING? It's called we're friends." Draya explained. "And I must admit, Nikki...I wasn't expecting this, coming from you. I mean, I'd heard you could be a bit judgmental, but not necessarily all-out accusing."
"He's extremely kindhearted, handsome,-" Nikki paused. "RICH...heir to the Newman fortune, and last but certainly not least, Draya...he's married."
"I'm very much aware." Draya responded. "And do you know what? The longer I sit here, the more I am convinced that this isn't just your impression of me. Why do I get the feeling that Courtney has already gotten to you about me?" Draya questioned.
Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell interrupted them, and with a stern glare, Nikki took a moment to remain still, looking into Draya's eyes, and then finally she turned and headed to open the door. "Miguel, I've got it." she called out.
Leaving Draya alone, Nikki headed to the door and opened it.
"Grandma!" Faith exclaimed as she ran and leapt into Nikki's arms.
Nikki stumbled back a little, but with a loving smile, she began to laugh. "Ohhh my darling sweet granddaughter. I'm so glad to see you!" she exclaimed, before refocusing her attention on Sharon, who stood before her. "Hello Sharon." she said politely, but blatantly less welcoming.
Sharon nodded her head slightly. "hi." she said, before heading into the ranch. Stepping down into the living room, she looked around. "Where IS everyone? Nick? Vicky? And Noah said he was already here when he called me a minute ago."
"I'm right here Mom." Noah exclaimed, coming back from around the corner. He hugged Sharon and as he went back around to where Draya stood, he slightly frowned, seeing that something was wrong with her. "You alright?" he whispered, leaning in to her.
Draya hesitated for a moment, but plastered a smile onto her face. "Yeah..I'm fine. I just uhh-...I actually forgot I've got a ton of work to do in preparation for one of Jill's meetings tomorrow, and-"
"Ahh no. You don't have to leave, do you?"
"You're not going to hate me, are you?"
Noah chuckled. "Just a little. But I understand." he remarked, before hugging her.
As Draya held on to Noah tightly, her eyes opened to see Nikki glaring at the two of them, and slowly she pulled away from him. "I'll uhh...I'll text you later or something." she said, before heading off. She waved goodbye to Sharon and Faith politely, and then glanced at Nikki, as she exited the Newman Ranch.
"Gone already?" Nikki questioned after hearing the front door close.
Noah sighed. "I guess she was busy." he replied as he sat down on the couch.
With a devious smirk, Nikki shook her head. "Aww what a shame." she answered.
SCENE ONE
"Lauren, we understand that you're upset. But what you have to understand here is that this decision was mutually beneficial to all parties involved. It gets Jill away from Fenmore's, where even YOU have expressed her lack of involvement in recent dealings, and, and it was a financially sound decision for Jill and myself, and for Sebastian Nichols, he was able to buy into a wildly successful company." Colin paused for a moment, and then smiled, shrugging his shoulders. "I think we should all just take a collective sigh of relief."
"RELIEF?" Lauren repeated in disbelief. "This is unbelievable. Totally un-freaking-believable. Jill, how could you allow this-...this CRIMINAL to convince you to do something so STUPID? You have already degraded yourself immensely by even staying with the man who has used you and your money time and time again. How many lies has he told you? How many brushes with the law is he going to deal with before you decide that enough is enough? And while I've stood back for a while, trying to be a supportive sister, and watched you grovel and cater to this man's every whim, YOU were going behind my back sabotaging me...FOR HIM!"
"Colin has absolutely nothing to do with this Lauren. I mean, for crying out loud...it was a business decision. It had nothing to do with our relationship. Lauren you have to know that I love you." Jill attempted.
"If only you loved yourself as much as you claim to love everyone else." With disgust, Lauren looked at Colin. "THIS man has done everything in the book to double cross you and the people that you love, and you've stayed with him through it all. You've tarnished Katherine's memory by ravaging through this house looking for something as miniscule as a necklace, and why? Because you wanted to pay off debts...debts that HE has acquired. And now, you've turned your back on me...the ONE woman in this entire town that looks beyond the brash, selfish, rude woman that you are and accepts you. How COULD you?"
There was a tense silence that infiltrated the room as the two ladies looked into each other's eyes.
Jill quickly brushed away a few unwelcomed tears, and then she forced herself to smile. "Wow...it's always nice to get a reality check and to know who really cares about you." she whispered. And with that, she pushed past both Colin and Lauren and rushed up the stairs.
"Jill-" Colin attempted. He stopped once he realized that he couldn't stop her, and then he looked at Lauren. "Well, I certainly hope you're proud of yourself. You've adequately put us on notice of how you have tolerated us for the past few years."
"Correction, Colin. I've tolerated YOU only because of Jill. But as of now, it stops." she replied, before attempting to walk away. "Now move the hell out of my way."
Colin stepped to the side slowly, allowing Lauren to storm past him and out the front door, slamming it shut behind her.
SCENE THREE
Summer stood at the window of her apartment, overlooking the downtown area, and once again, images of Kyle and Emma flashed before her eyes. The sight of Kyle's lips and hands all over Emma's thin and frail body were enough to make her sick, and with a frustrated grunt, she turned around just as her phone began to ring. Quickly she rushed over to grab it.
"This is Summer."
"Summer, it's Freddie. I uhh...I wasn't able to secure that private interview that you requested on the Leanna Love show as of yet."
Summer scowled. "Isn't that what you get paid for? To be my agent? Freddie, listen...I appreciate everything that you do for me, but if you don't get this done, and I mean SOON...I swear, I'll drop your ass before you even have time to Google the word unemployment."
After hearing the banging on her door, she quickly ended the call. "WHAT IS IT." she yelled out angrily, before swinging open the door. As soon as she saw Kyle standing there, she immediately softened. "Oh...Kyle. What uhh-...what are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you."
Kyle looked off behind Summer, in search for Emma, and then he sighed. "I got a text from Emma saying that she was here and-"
"Great." Summer interrupted, moving aside, and allowing Kyle to walk in. "She WAS here, and then she left. Can't say that I was too disappointed."
"You really have to stop this war you have going on with her."
"That's funny...I mean, aren't you the guy telling me that my newfound way of expression, or as you so eloquently put it, being a bitch like my mother, was television GOLD?" Summer asked. "I'd like to think that my alleged war with your fiancée should be more appropriately labeled as job security. I keep my feelings of Emma public, and we all keep this GBJ Project on the air."
"But you see that's the thing." Kyle attempted. "My dad isn't going to call you out on it after everything that you've been through these past few years...he feels that this new 'personality' of yours is a reaction of all the trauma you've suffered, but-...look, whatever feelings you have for Emma, you have to learn how to control them."
"Control them?" Summer repeated. "Control them...hmm...let's see..." she sarcastically began to rub her finger along her chin, and then slowly she stepped closer to Kyle. "Why Kyle, you of all people should know how hard it is for me to uh...CONTROL my feelings." she whispered, before reaching up and caressing the side of his face. "Sometimes I just-...can't help myself."
"We're not going to do this." he replied.
"Maybe I should get you a beer. Will that relax you a little?" she questioned, before pushing Kyle, forcing him to fall onto the couch. Seductively, she crawled onto his lap, and then reaching behind him, she grabbed her phone which she'd dropped on table behind the couch, forcing her breasts into his face. "Excuse me..." she whispered.
"Summer-.."
"Oh relax. It's not like its something you haven't seen before." she replied.
"Summer...that's ENOUGH!" Kyle exclaimed, pushing Summer off of him, sending her stumbling down to the floor. Regretfully he looked down at her, but then standing up from the couch, he shrugged his shoulders. "You're acting like some random tramp, and that's NOT you. Look at yourself, Summer...you look absolutely pathetic. Now, the Jabot execs are telling me that too much of the focus is being placed on that on-screen circus you'd like to call a rivalry between you and Emma, and not enough on the Jabot product line. I'm here to tell you that it stops HERE!"
Silently, Summer gazed at Kyle with a betrayed glare, and with tears in her eyes, she began to pick herself up from the ground, with no words.
"Emma is my fiancée. I love her, with all of my heart, and we're going to be married within a couple of months. Whether YOU like it, approve of it, or NOT. And this battle you're trying to create with her...I'm telling you now, it stops here."
He turned to head out of the door, but Summer's next words stopped him.
"That wedding will NEVER happen." she replied coldly. "That woman doesn't deserve you. She's nothing more than some down-home bumpkin with little to no class, no knowledge of how to carry herself in public, and most of all...the two of you have NOTHING in common, Kyle! You enjoy the good life...look around us...THIS is the good life. She doesn't fit in, and she never will. How long do you think it will take before she grows tired of the fast lane, all of the attention that will be placed on her personal life, and she retreats out of the spotlight, back to her hometown...WITHOUT her loving husband?" Summer walked closer to Kyle, and she grabbed his face with both of her hands. "We-...we HAD something, Kyle. You and me...we had something special. Don't you remember? Don't you remember how we felt before you left for New York? Don't you remember the nights we wanted to spend together, but everything else got in the way? Kyle, you told me that you loved me!"
Filled with regret, Kyle closed his eyes, and gently he grabbed Summer by both of her hands, and lowered them away from his face. "We have no future." he whispered sympathetically. "I know it hurts for you to hear me say that, but we have no future, and we never will."
Summer looked into Kyle's eyes for confirmation, and though tears were falling from her face, she quickly wiped them away, and began to laugh. "Wow..." she whispered, before letting go of Kyle's hands and turning around to walk back to her couch. "WOW...wow wow wow...I can't believe this. I can not believe you're going to stand there and pretend that there's NOTHING between us, all because you've got your head up that BITCH'S-"
"Summer that's enough"
"It's NOT enough, Kyle!" Summer yelled. "I did this for YOU! I quit my grandfather's company...I left the spokesmodel position and let Mariah take it on, and then joined the competition just for the chance to rebuild something with YOU. You knew exactly what I was doing, and you knew my intentions and you played on them long enough to get me signed into a contract with this project. And now you're telling me that it was all one-sided? You're telling me that I'm CRAZY for feeling the way that I do because you feel nothing?"
Kyle stood quietly, looking at her.
"You know, I have heard quite a few stories about your mother...how vindictive, and manipulative, and dark of a woman she could be, and I'll be damned if you didn't grow up just like her."
Kyle nodded. "That's good Summer...just get it all out of your system."
"I HATE YOU!" she yelled dramatically. "I swear, I hate you. I hate you and I hate that BITCH. I hate her!"
"She's not a bitch, she's going to be my wife and I love her."
"And what the hell is so special about her? Huh? What is so special about Emma that you have rush yourself down the aisle and marry a woman that you barely even know?"
"Because she's beautiful, Summer. She's beautiful and intelligent and extremely smart. She makes me laugh...she's quirky and sometimes she says things before her brain can even catch up and-...and it's fine because I know that deep down that she always has the most innocent intentions. She looks at me and she doesn't have to say a word...I just KNOW what she's feeling and what she wants to say...and dammit, if I want to marry this woman and make her Mrs. Kyle Abbott before she dies, then that's what the hell I'm going to do!" Kyle's voice raised to almost that of an echo through the room, and then an awkward silence followed.
"What?" Summer whispered as she glared into Kyle's tear-filled eyes. "Before she dies?" she repeated curiously.
"She's the love of my life, and YES Summer...Emma is DYING." he called out.
SCENE FOUR
Draya stood outside of her apartment, and before she opened the door, Nikki's words echoed through her mind once again.
"He's extremely kindhearted, handsome,-" Nikki paused. "RICH...heir to the Newman fortune, and last but certainly not least, Draya...he's married."
The words "He's married" began to play back in her mind repeatedly, and frustrated, she turned around. She stuck the key into the lock, and after her apartment door swung open, she looked at her grandmother who sat on the couch.
"Grandmother...what are you-...I thought we discussed this. You aren't supposed to show up here." she called out.
Slowly, Lorie Brooks turned to look at her granddaughter, and a devious smile creased her face. "I thought it was time to make a nice familial visit." she spoke quaintly.
SCENE ONE
Lauren stood in the doorway of Fenmore's Boutique, and suddenly a flood of emotions shot through her. Her entire life's work had been placed in the hands of a total stranger. As tears filled her eyes, she stepped down into the boutique, and sitting down on the step, she placed her elbow on her leg, and dropped her head into her hands. "I'm so sorry daddy." she whispered. "I'm so sorry" she began to sob aloud helplessly as she closed her eyes in complete defeat.
SCENE FIVE
**London, England**
"I just got off of the phone with the bank. They agreed to extend the business loan to help us with the takeover." Sebastian spoke. He looked over at his wife, who still looked disappointed, and he half-smiled. "Well baby, this is what we've been waiting for, right?"
"I won't be satisfied until we get complete control." she spoke coldly.
"Well...baby steps, right?" Sebastian attempted, before pecking her on her forehead.
"Right...It's all about baby steps." Sheila spoke, as an evil grin filled her face.
Angrily, she turned and began to glare out of the window at the darkened sky.
