The sound of her alarm snapped her out of dreamland and to reality. Not that she could remember her dream or if she even dreamt at all but being under those sheets felt better than anything. Knowing that she would want to stay in bed, right before she closed her eyes for the night she set a second alarm especially for this occasion. Closing her eyes she rolled back over turning her body towards the window so that she wouldn't sleep fully but simply rest her eyes. She inhaled the pillow and sunk her face deeper into it; burying herself in it as if someone had broken into her room and she was hiding away in the snow white pillows. She knew that this was a dangerous game but her body had a mind of its own and it wanted to rest. Just as she felt herself drifting off her second alarm rang, this time she hopped out of bed and sat at the edge of it. She regretted moving too quickly, her head was spinning slightly so she stayed still until it passed. She ran her fingers through her hair as she made way to the bathroom. Flicking on the lights she stared at her reflection and ran the hot water, splashing her face with it before scrubbing her teeth. Pulling up to set she took a deep breath and dug in her purse for her sunglasses and started her journey to wardrobe and makeup. She sat in her chair in front of the large mirror and watched as Monica curled her hair and talk about the morning that she's had.
Monica was twenty five pursuing her dream job and was blessed to land one on The Vampire Diaries of all places. She was engaged to her high school sweetheart and was ready to tie the knot in a few weeks. After waking up in the wee hours of the morning driving frantically to the bridal shop it turns out that her dress was a few sizes too small. Apparently someone had mistaken her eight as a five and when she went to try it on it wouldn't fit pass her thighs. She remembers back when she and Paul were about to tie the knot and when things went downhill. They weren't as extreme as having the dress not fit but the little things, which turned out to be the most important.
"Babe everything is going to be okay."
She swore if she heard those words one more time she would lose her mind more than she already has. The orchid bouquets for the table's centerpieces that were arranged perfectly to her liking turned up missing and they had to settle with roses. She hated roses they were such a cliché flower but they ended up looking good on the tables. The ring bearer got a case of the sniffles the night before and not wanting his snot everywhere they had to do without one. Despite those and other complications the wedding was beautiful and all that mattered was that she was marrying the man of her dreams and he was marrying the girl of his dreams. During their first dance he drew her in for a kiss.
"Are we done complaining now?" Paul smiled.
"All done."
Monica's words snapped her back to planet Earth. She hopped out of the makeup chair and made way to her trailer skimming her lines. She already knew her lines by heart and could say them in reverse if they wanted her to, but she always made sure because you could never be too safe. She stepped out making her way towards the onset hospital to film her scenes. The gang has finally found out about Bonnie's death and they went to Meredith because she was the only one that they knew would help on a supernatural case. Since Meredith was recently fired, she had to sneak around the hospital for some supplies. She almost got caught by one of the doctors but said that she was just checking up on a patient and she'll leave quickly-which she did.
Filming that scene over and over again for the next three hours all in different angles and coverage she was finished for the day. She wondered why they wouldn't just buy a new camera so it would shorten the amount of time it takes to film one scene but kept those thoughts under lock and key in her busy mind. She closed the door to her trailer and passed out on the couch. She stared up at the ceiling not really sure why she was still on set since she had no more scenes to film so she rolled off the couch almost making her face meet the floor and there was a knock on the door. She quickly fixed her hair in the mirror and opened the door to see Paul. She stepped to the side to gain him access inside. Her eyes watched him as he walked in far enough and turned around to face her. After closing the door she folded her arms under her chest and waited for him to speak keeping a great amount of distance between them.
"I wasn't sure if you would still be here." He opened.
"Yeah I'm not sure why I'm here; I was just splattered on the couch actually so I guess I'm tired." She smiled.
Paul returned the smile and just stared at her. She watched him as thoughts were running through his mind and she wondered what he was thinking about.
"I'm sorry." They said simultaneously.
Paul looked at her as his head tilted to the side in confusion.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you for dating Phoebe. She seems like a sweet girl and I'm just happy that you're happy. If you're happy that is."
"You have no reason to apologize." He ignored her implied question. "I know if you were seeing someone else I would have reacted the same way and I'm sorry that...if I made you feel like..." He was struggling to find his words.
"It's okay."
Tight lipped smiles appeared on both of their faces as they got lost into each other's eyes. A knock on the door snapped them out of their trance and Mark was behind it looking for Paul. He was needed on set in a few minutes. Paul walked up to the door placing his hand on her lower back for a second as he walked out. She wasn't far behind them but she was making her way to the hotel instead of the boardinghouse. She let the water hit her bare body as the steam opened up her pores while she was cleansing her mind.
It was nice to see Paul today, something felt right talking to him and deep down there was hope for them. Hope that they could be friends that they could get past the awkward stage and maybe hang out. Thinking back to the conversation she realized that he never answered her question. She didn't really ask him if he was happy but it was implied and he let it go through one ear and out the other. Maybe he was trying to spare her feelings or maybe he wasn't happy, only time would tell.
Looking down at her hands that were wrinkling like raisins telling her that she's ran up enough of the water bill she stepped out. She heard her phone vibrating against the hardwood of the nightstand and she answered it but it was too late. Waiting for a voicemail she went to lotion her body and cover it with clothes. She returned to her phone to find that he had a voicemail from Ian.
"Hey Torrey, some of the cast are going out tonight and we wanted you to come. If I remember correctly you're staying at The Ritz so I'll pick you up at ten."
Chuckling at the fact that he didn't give her a choice to object she sat on the bed opening The Silent Wife. Jodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. Much is at stake, including the affluent life they lead in their beautiful waterfront condo in Chicago, as she, the killer, and he, the victim, rush unfortunately toward the main event. He is a committed cheater. She lives and breathes denial and he in dual worlds. She likes to settle scores. He decides to play for keeps. She has nothing left to lose. The Silent Wife is about a marriage in the throes of closure, a couple headed for catastrophe, concessions that can't be made, and promises that won't be kept. The book was finished in a few hours and glancing at the time that read eight o'clock on the dot she started to get ready...for dinner. Room service would be something that she would worship if the prices weren't expensive most of the time but it was better than going out to the store, shopping around only to take it back to the house, wait around an hour to cook it and only then eat it. She sat at the table chewing her macaroni and cheese; it wasn't creamy just how she liked it. She accidentally looked at the clock and saw that it was nine thirty. Tapping her fork against the pearl plate contemplating on whether she should go or not she got up and sped to her closet picking out appropriate single-life wear. She wasn't exactly sure where they were going so she went with a flowing white spaghetti strap crop shirt. Moving down she slid on hugging, dark blue skinny jeans and for her feet, black peep-toe heels. She had no time to assist her growing locks so she let it fall straight past her shoulders. Glancing at her rose gold watch she made her way downstairs to be greeted by Ian who was sitting on one if the chairs in lobby.
"You look amazing." He eyed her attire.
She smiled, "Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself."
She wasn't lying; Ian looked dashing in his black jeans, boots and dark blue V-neck. The shirt hugged his muscles and pecks and his hair was messy but he wore it well. They walked out the doors and got into the black town car provided by Uber. Some talk was exchanged between the two but it was nothing major and no awkward silences. She glanced out of the tinted window making everything darker than it already was, and let the lights from the street lights shine on her face and the wind from the slightly opened window blow the top of her head. She still had no idea where they were going but decided to let it remain a one sided mystery until the car stopped. Speaking of, Ian opened his door then jogging to the other side to open her door. She offered him a smile and said her thanks finally turning around to see their destination.
"Bowman Arrows?"
"It's a club of some sort. It provides you with music and food, a perfect combination."
They snickered and walked into the spot scoping out the crowed until they saw some of the cast. At a booth sat Candice, Katerina with her beau, Nina and Phoebe. She assumed that Paul was in the bathroom or at the bar downing a few shots to avoid a what could be an awkward situation. Walking over with Ian leading the way they greeted the cast and Torrey slid in next to Nina making a brunette sandwich with Kat in the middle.
"Well don't I feel like a midget."
The group laughed at her comment. Kat was a tiny girl and happened to be the shortest out of the group with Nina being the second. The group sobered up as Paul made his way from the bar joining the group. They didn't exchange hello's verbally, smiles seemed to do the trick and they were perfectly fine with that.
The night was going great there was no silence at the booth everyone joined in on the conversations and she was glad that she decided to come out and more importantly thankful that Ian invited her. She removed her hand away from her mouth shielding her laugh, they were all a bit tipsy but nothing that they couldn't handle.
"Let's dance!" Candice shouted.
"Uhh no." They made eye contact and laughed.
"Paul I understand you, but Torrey come on you look so cute! Now get your ass on that dance floor."
She looked at the rest of the group with a surprised look on her face in shock of Candice's words.
"Are you implying that I don't look cute?" Paul joked.
The booth roared with laughter and once again her mouth shielded her smile. It was a habit of hers whenever someone would say or do something to make her laugh she would cover her pearly whites to block her grinning like an idiot.
"Okay let's go!" She shook her shoulders.
The girls started slipping out the booth one by one until they all were dancing to the pumping beat. The men however stayed behind and enjoyed the girls from afar with small smiles on their faces. Paul wasn't entirely enjoying the way that Ian was staring at his ex, but he reverted his attention back on the current girl who had his affections who was dancing with...his ex. Strange.
The girls were enjoying their time occasionally whipping their locks back and forth and wooing. She was surprised when Phoebe came up to her and danced next to her but she figured she was trying to build some type of friendship or more likely an understanding. Complying with her disguised request, she fully turned her body towards Phoebe and threw a hand up in the air and shook her hips to match the girl in front of her. Shortly after that they were making their way back home, Ian was a gentleman and rode with her to the hotel. Kissing him on the check they swapped goodbyes and she opened the door and closed it after saying goodbye one last time. Flicking on the light she hopped in for a quick shower to wash off the smell of alcohol and nachos. She looked at her phone for the first time in hours and replayed to her texts and missed calls then picked up her Bible to read a verse or two.
Galatians 6:4-5
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
She smiled at the words on the page as it reminded her so much of what she went through. When she found out about Paul and Phoebe she began to look at herself differently. Question herself about how he moved on from her in two months, question her looks and comparing them to Phoebe's. She figured that the accent had done the trick and she herself would have to admit that her accent was charming (and also a little annoying but who's asking). Flipping the pages she landed on another verse.
Colossians 3:13-14 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Forgiveness. This took her back to when Paul had knocked on her trailer and wanted to come in. They said that they were both sorry and he forgave her for yelling at him and she for him dating someone else. The words I forgive you weren't exchanged but in their own way they were. They were taking the first steps in the post-divorced relationship plan and that brought a smile to her face. She wanted to rebuild that relationship-and she would.
Chapter End.