From Friends to Strangers…Why didn't he come?
Brenda couldn't believe this was happening.
She couldn't believe he would do this to her.
She stood there holding her bouquet, staring at the place the Reverend stood only minutes before.
He was gone now.
Along with all the wedding guests.
They were all….gone.
She didn't know when they left.
She didn't care.
She just stood there.
Not knowing what to do or where to go.
Was this really happening?
Did the man who claimed to love her more than anything in this world, just humiliate her in front of all the people she loved?
Yes, he did.
He was supposed to be here.
He was supposed to meet her.
She was supposed to meet him.
It's what they planned.
When she started her walk down the aisle, he would come in through the side door, and meet her.
He wouldn't wait, he would meet.
Her eyes went to the door.
The one he was supposed to walk through.
The one she kept looking at…waiting for him to appear.
Until it finally hit her…he wasn't coming.
How could he do this to her?
The bouquet slipped out of her hands and fell at her feet.
What was she supposed to do now?
This was not supposed to happen.
They should be at their reception.
Starting their life together as husband and wife.
Finally
After everything, it was finally their time.
She looked around….but it wasn't.
She was alone in a church filled with flowers.
Flowers that he helped pick out.
They didn't want a huge production.
He didn't have a bestman, she didn't have a maid of honor.
It was their day.
They wanted all the focus to be on them.
The only thing they wanted was plenty of flowers.
She remembered how hands on he had been in picking them out.
There were so many things running through her head.
He wanted to get married.
He asked her.
She never pressured him.
Why would he do this to her?
How could he do it?
She needed to get out of that church.
She couldn't breathe.
She turned and started walking down the aisle, but quickly stopped.
She was not alone.
Jason was there.
With tears in her eyes, she asked the one question she was dying to know.
"Where is he?"
He didn't answer, he just stared at her.
Brenda did not have time for his silence. "Robot! You can talk now! Where is he?!"
Still nothing.
It never dawned on her, he could be hurt.
Her hand went to her heart. "Is he hurt? Is…he-"
He finally answered. "No, he's fine."
"Well, where is he, Jason?!"
"He is gone."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Gone where?"
"Away."
Brenda was beyond frustrated. "Where is away?!"
"I can't tell you."
"But you know?"
He didn't respond.
Brenda chuckled. "Of course you know. Well, he can stay there, because I hate him. Did you know he was going to do this to me?"
"No."
"You are a liar! You knew! I know…you knew. You are his confidant. He tells you everything! He trusts you more than anyone! Including….me. You knew."
"No, I didn't know. I found out just before...just before it was time."
She ran her fingers through her shoulder length hair. "I should not be shocked. No one has hurt me more than the man you worship. Is everyone gone?"
"Yes, I escorted them out."
"Good, I don't want to see anyone. They tried to tell me he would hurt me. I didn't listen, but right now, I don't really want to hear I told you so."
"Would you like me to take you-"
Brenda interrupted. "To his penthouse? No. I am never going back there. And I don't want you taking me anywhere. You can leave."
"I'm not leaving."
She shrugged. "Don't leave, stay. I don't care. You can use the flowers as target practice."
He approached her. "I am supposed to look after you."
"Well, robot, I don't want you to. I want you to get out of my face!"
Jason ignored her. "You don't have to go back to the penthouse. I can take you anywhere. Where would you like to go?"
"Did you not hear me? Or is it you just don't understand? I'll say it one more time, get out of my face!"
Jason didn't move.
He just stood there looking at her.
"You know what….whatever."
She stormed past him.
He followed her out.
The limo was waiting.
She paused.
Not that long ago, she exited that very limo.
She was so happy.
She was going to marry the man she loved more than life.
She started to shake, but quickly composed herself.
She held her head up and walked to the car.
She would rather ride in that limo than with her ex fiancé's flunky.
The driver opened the door and she got in.
Her purse was on the seat.
She hadn't even thought about it and had no idea how it got there.
She'd last seen it in the church.
In the room she got ready in.
For the wedding that never happened.
The driver's voice came across the intercom.
He wanted to know where she wanted to go.
She had no idea.
She didn't want to go to the Quartermaines.
They would just feel sorry for her.
So would Lucy if she went to her place.
Brenda answered. "A hotel. Any hotel."
"Yes, ma'am."
Brenda looked out of the window wishing the limo would go a little faster.
She was desperate for privacy.
She didn't want to be around anyone.
She didn't want anyone feeling sorry for her.
She didn't want anyone to see her cry.
Thank God the town was small.
Minutes later the limo pulled up to the hotel.
The driver opened her door.
She got out and went in.
There was quite a few people in the lobby.
This is the last thing she needed.
People staring at the woman in her wedding dress with no groom.
She walked up to the desk.
She was greeted and was in the process of telling the clerk what she needed, when she heard a familiar voice giving instructions to a bellhop.
She looked over her shoulder.
It was Jason.
He had her luggage.
Luggage that contained the clothes she was supposed to wear on her honeymoon.
A honeymoon to the mountains…with him.
Brenda turned her attention back to the front desk clerk.
She needed identification and a form of payment.
Brenda opened her purse and saw an enormous amount of cash inside.
She handed the clerk her ID along with her credit card.
After paying for her room, she was given the key.
She knew Jason was there.
She tried her best to ignore him.
She walked towards the elevator and pressed the button.
The doors opened and she got on.
The bellhop followed her.
Jason was the last to get on.
She didn't say a word.
She focused on the numbers, each lighting up one after the other, until they reached the top.
She exited and walked down to her room.
She swiped the card and opened the door.
The bellhop deposited her things.
Brenda opened her purse, but Jason tipped him before she could.
The bellhop nodded and left closing the door behind him.
Brenda threw her purse on the sofa. "Get out."
Jason took off his tuxedo jacket and placed it down.
"Jason, you are not staying. I want you to get out."
He didn't move.
"What is wrong with you?!"
She walked over, picked up his jacket, and threw it at him. "Get out!"
He caught it and placed it back down. "Brenda, I'm not leaving."
"I'll call security and have you thrown out. This is my room! Not yours, not your boss's, but mine! And I don't want his money!" She picked up her purse, opened it, and took the money out. She threw the cash at him. "I don't even understand why you are here?! You don't care about me! You are only here because your master gave you orders. I am telling you that I don't want you here. You are free to leave."
Jason leaned down and picked up the strapped money. "I am supposed to look after you."
"Tell me, why didn't he show up?"
"He changed his mind."
"He is a coward! You can tell him that. He is a damn coward! He could have told me before I walked down that aisle and embarrassed myself. And I am calling security!"
She walked over to the phone and picked it up.
Jason rushed over and pried it out of her hands.
She looked up at him. "Give me that phone, Jason."
"Brenda, I am not leaving you. I am not supposed to."
"I don't want you here!"
Jason repeated himself. "I am not supposed to leave you alone."
"Listen to me, robot! For the last time, I don't want you here! I don't care what you are supposed to do. Get out!"
"No."
"Fine."
She headed towards the bedroom.
Jason placed the receiver down and then he remembered the other phone.
He rushed inside of the room but stopped just short of entering.
Brenda hadn't even made it to the phone.
She was on the floor….sobbing.
Jason didn't say a word he just stood there.
Yes, he should have left.
He should haven given her privacy, but he was there to make sure she didn't hurt herself.
Sonny gave him strict orders.
He wanted to marry her, but couldn't.
His enemies would kill her.
He received several threats before the ceremony.
He had every intention of marrying her, but he couldn't risk it.
He loved her too much.
His words.
He had to get rid of any and all threats first.
The only way to make sure she wouldn't try to find him was to lie and say he no longer
wanted her.
Jason knew Sonny was totally devoted to Brenda.
He never understood why, she talked too much.
He didn't really like her.
She knew him before he had the accident, and was the only person, along with his grandfather, that refused to accept him as the person he was now.
They fought constantly.
He had to be around her because he was Sonny's right hand man.
Not only his right hand man in the organization, but his best friend too.
Jason was totally devoted to Sonny.
Sonny was the first person to accept him.
He gave him a way out of his old life.
He recognized and accepted that he was no longer the person he used to be, and for that he was grateful.
Jason would do anything for him.
He looked down at Brenda.
She was still crying.
Sonny was just as upset.
He didn't cry but Jason could tell.
He hated hurting her.
Jason didn't understand the whole concept of being in love.
He had women he had sex with, but there was no real attachment.
It was just physical.
There was a girl he liked briefly.
Robin, Brenda's best friend.
Nothing ever came of it.
Not even a kiss.
She went to Europe and that was that.
He liked her.
She wasn't loud like Brenda.
She listened.
It would not have worked out.
She was the relationship type, he wasn't.
He liked his freedom.
He didn't want to be tied down.
Jason continued to stand there.
Brenda continued to sob.
She was inconsolable.
Not that he knew anything about consoling anyone, that was not his job.
His job was to make sure she stayed in one piece.
She eventually cried herself to sleep.
She was on the floor for an hour before Jason decided to pick her up and place her on the bed.
It was not that he was being cruel. He just wasn't sure how she would react if he touched her.
Her eyes opened briefly before closing again.
Jason didn't know it but she was not asleep. She just didn't have any tears left.
She didn't have the energy to argue with him anymore either, at least not that night.
She just wanted to be still.
She just wanted to be quiet.
Jason sat down in one of the chairs.
She knew he was still there.
She didn't care as long as he didn't say a word.
At least he wasn't feeling sorry for her.
She was sure of that.
He didn't care.
Apparently, neither did his boss.
She could not believe he didn't come…
It's the next morning and Brenda is just waking up.
She looked around the room, Jason was gone.
She sat up.
Hopefully, he left.
She got out of bed and walked to the bathroom.
Her things were already inside.
She heard some fumbling coming from outside of the bedroom.
No, he was still there.
She closed the door and got undressed.
After showering Brenda threw on a pair of yoga pants and a t shirt.
She picked up her wedding dress and headed to the kitchenette.
Jason was sitting at the table drinking coffee.
He looked like hell.
She felt like hell and he could have left.
She didn't ask him to stay.
She grabbed a knife and sliced the dress in two…straight down the middle.
She continued to slice it until it was unrecognizable.
As soon as she was done she tossed it in the trash.
Jason didn't say a word.
She placed the knife down, went back into the bedroom, and picked up the phone.
After she finished she place the receiver down and threw on a pair of sneakers.
Her hair was still wet, so she pulled it up into a ponytail.
Minutes later there was at knock at the door.
Jason stood up, checked the peephole, at the same time Brenda was walking in.
"It's for me."
She walked over and attempted to open the door.
Jason stopped her. "Where are you going?"
"None of your business, move out of my way."
"Tell me where you are going."
Brenda screamed at him. "Move out of my way!"
Jason knew he had no choice.
If he didn't let her leave, the police would be there in the next few minutes.
It probably sounded like he was holding her against her will.
She won this round.
He moved aside.
He would just follow her.
She opened the door. "My things are in the bedroom."
The bellhop nodded and walked into the room.
He looked briefly at Brenda then Jason.
Jason knew what he must have been thinking.
Brenda's eyes were swollen from crying.
He didn't look too great himself.
It didn't really look that good, but Jason didn't really care what he thought.
He was really good at not caring.
It was one of the reasons Sonny chose him to be his right hand man.
Not only that he was fiercely loyal.
The bellhop gathered Brenda's luggage and loaded them on the cart.
Jason slipped on his jacket and followed them out.
The bellhop pressed the button on the elevator.
The bell went off and the doors opened.
A middle aged couple was on the elevator.
They moved to the back in order to make room for them.
Brenda boarded and then the bellhop followed.
Jason was just about to enter when Brenda stopped him.
She held out her hand. "No, Jason. I don't want you on here. Take another elevator, the stairs, or jump. I don't care. Stay away from me. Your boss has hurt me enough. I just want you and anything that has anything to do with him out of my life. Leave me alone."
Jason let the doors close.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
No one said a word on the elevator.
It was total silence.
Brenda checked out of the hotel and walked outside to an awaiting car.
The car pulled out of the parking lot and made a right.
Seconds later Jason pulled out and made a right too...
Brenda ended up at Lucy Coe's house.
Jason staked the place out for a couple hours, until he was satisfied she wasn't going
anywhere.
Jason gave one of their men strict orders to watch it, and if there was any activity he should call.
He went home.
He was exhausted.
Brenda closed the curtain. "I just want them to leave me alone."
Lucy moved the curtain slightly to the side and looked down the street at the black car.
"Your fiancé is in the mob, it comes with the territory."
"He is nothing to me. He didn't show up remember?"
"Oh…right. Brenda, there has to be an explanation. He is crazy about you."
"No, he is not. He humiliated me. I don't want to talk about that. I need your help."
Lucy placed her hand on her hip. "Brenda Barrett, what are you planning?"
"I need help disappearing."
Lucy did not think that was a good idea. "You shouldn't be alone right now."
"I'm fine...I will be fine. I just need to get away. I don't want to talk to anyone. I don't want to see anybody. I just need space. Please, will you help me?"
Lucy still did not think that was a good idea. "You should be around the people who love you."
"No, I need space. I don't want people to feel sorry for me. I'm not interested in hearing I am so sorry, Brenda. Please, Lucy. Please."
Lucy hugged her friend. She could see the pain in her eyes. She didn't want to add to it. If she needed her help, she was going to give it to her. "Of course, what do you need me to do?"
Jason crashed as soon as he made it to his apt.
He woke up hours later.
He checked in with his lookout.
His lookout gave him an update.
Lucy left the house, but there was no sign of Brenda.
Jason figured that she was probably sleeping.
She had a rough night.
After disconnecting the call, he took a shower and ordered a pizza.
He was starving.
There was a knock at the door as soon as he hung up with the pizza place.
He looked out the peephole and opened it.
"Hey, Jason."
Carly walked past him.
She lived in the same building as him.
They got acquainted while drinking at a bar one night and had been friendly ever since.
He liked her.
It wasn't serious or anything.
For either of them.
There were other women.
She had her own life too.
He closed and locked the door.
As soon as the lock clicked she was all over him.
Her hand slipped inside his boxers
She smiled. "You are not happy to see me? No worries, I have just the thing."
She dropped to her knees, pulled his boxers down, and took him into her mouth.
Jason groaned….
Jason and Carly are in bed eating pizza and drinking beer.
"I heard about what happened at your friend's wedding. Well, non wedding. I don't really like his fiancée, but that had to be hard on her."
Jason didn't say a word, he just sipped on his beer.
Carly moved her short blonde hair behind her ears. "Ok, you don't want to discuss it. Got it. I get it, he is your best friend. There are things that you know, that the world doesn't. Got it. I feel like I am talking to myself."
Jason chuckled. "Change the subject, I promise I'll respond."
"This beer…this pizza…the sex…so good."
Jason grinned…...
Brenda looked out of the window.
She leaned back in her seat.
No one was sitting next to her because she purchased the seat.
She was not in the mood to make small talk.
She just wanted to be alone.
She just needed to distance herself.
Disappear
Not forever just for a little while.
She didn't need anyone feeling sorry for her.
Pitying her
No looks of I told you so.
She needed time to just feel whatever she wanted, without anyone around.
She was embarrassed but she was more heartbroken than anything.
She was in so much pain.
And she thought the worst day of her life was when he married another woman.
Who knew he could top that?
She continued to look out of the window.
Why didn't he come?
Jason stood outside beating on the door and ringing the doorbell.
*no answer*
His lookout said Lucy left, but he could have sworn she'd already left earlier.
Jason knew something was up.
After knocking for ten minutes, he knew it was pointless.
No one was inside.
He set out to find Lucy, which was not that hard.
She was at her office.
"Look Jason, she just needed some time alone. Can you blame her? She was left at the
altar by that creep, Sonny."
"I was there remember?"
"Practically the whole town was there. Poor Brenda. She is simply devastated and Sonny should be castrated. I know he loves her. I can spot a bullsh*tter a mile away. He loved her. Didn't he?"
Jason was not going to discuss anything with her. "Just tell me where she is."
Lucy crossed her arms. "No."
"You think it's wise for her to be alone?"
"Yes!"
"What if she hurts herself? Are you ok with that? Lucy, she should not be alone."
Lucy sat down behind her desk. "Brenda wouldn't hurt…herself."
"She was left at the altar. She is devastated right? That's what you said. You really think she wouldn't? Are you certain? Would you like to take that chance?"
Lucy started biting her bottom lip. "She was upset."
"Yes, she was. I am just going to make sure she is ok, but if you don't care-"
"Of course I care. She is gone, Jason. I am not sure where she went."
He had gotten to her. Now he just needed a little more information. "Out of Port Charles?"
"Yes, that I am sure of."
"Plane?"
She nodded. "Yes."
Jason hurried out of the office.
Lucy yelled. "Don't bother her! Just make sure she is ok….."
Brenda strapped herself in, the plane was getting ready to land.
It seemed like she had just sat down.
She hadn't thought twice about where she was going.
She had taken the first available flight out of Port Charles.
She didn't care where she ended up.
She just wanted out of that city.
Away from everything and everybody.
That first available flight took her straight to Miami.
Jason walked up the stairs of the private jet.
As soon as he found out Brenda took a flight out, he used his connections to find out where she went.
Within minutes he was packing and contacting their pilot. He was going to Miami…