Hart to Hart: To Love Again

Chapter 9

Sophia ran out of the room in tears. Thinking Lil won RJ's affections, even though it was by deceptive means, was too much. Through her tears she fumbled with her hotel room key. All she wanted to do now was retreat from the world, and let her broken heart start to heal.

She was just about to close the door when she heard RJ calling her name as he ran down the hall towards her. "Sophia...wait", he called to her. "We need to talk...please" he told her.

Sophia, feeling like she had just gone a few rounds with Ali, turned to him. She shrugged her shoulders and sighed through her tears. "Sure...why not. There's no point though. I know what you're going to say." she conceded.

RJ noticed her torn blouse and the scratches on her neck and arm. "What the heck happened back there?" he asked. "She lunged at me...I told her exactly what I thought of her, that I know what she did...and what she cost me" Sophia explained.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. She took the photographs out of her purse to show him. "The pictures I showed you...I did some copious research. I'm known for my copious research, you know?" she said, feigning a smile. "I found out they were studio publicity photos from a movie" she explained. Putting both sets on the table, she continued. "Look. The pictures she gave me were cropped. The ones I found have the studio logo, the movie title, and the release date across the bottom" she pointed out to him. These pictures are what convinced me that you were involved with her" she said, sobbing.

"You looked me straight in the eye and told me the truth, and I didn't believe you. She told me that you were in love with her and that the 2 of you were just going through a 'rough patch', as she put it. She convinced me that you were just using me to make her jealous, and that I was just going to be another 'notch on your bedpost' She started crying harder as she continued, "and I believed her. I mean, after all she's a beautiful actress. I hear she's got a great IQ, she's a Cordon Bleu chef...I'm no match for her, RJ...I can't co...". "Shhh" he said, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. "What hurts the most is knowing that you hate me now, and I don't blame you. What does that say about me, that as much as I love you, you looked me in the eye and told me the truth...and I didn't believe you?"

"Shhh...listen to me. Soph, I could never hate you" he said, trying to console her. He continued, "And Honey, you did believe me" he said reassuringly. What are you talking about...no, I di..." She tried to say, looking a little puzzled. RJ explained. "Ah, but you did. Something in your heart told you something wasn't right.

If you didn't believe me you would have simply accepted what she showed you, and told you, and not done any research at all. So the way I see it...you did believe me".

"I certainly wasn't expecting her to lung at me like that. I've got a major headache. She must have pulled half of my hair out" she said, managing a smile. "I'm just going to grab a couple of aspirin. I'll be right back."

"Promise?" he asked as she went to the medicine cabinet.

"I promise." She called back to him.

"Hon, you're sure you're alright? Do you think you should have a Dr. look at you...she slammed your head on the floor a few times, from what I could hear" he asked with concern.

She came back out to the living room a few minutes later. She took her aspirin, and got ready for bed. Even in her terry robe he thought she was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. He gently took her by the hands as she sat on the couch. He sat beside her, gazing into her beautiful hazel eyes.

"I know you're tired, and you've had a long and hectic day. But I want you to know something...and I mean this from the bottom of my heart. You are the most beautiful woman I've even seen. But you're a lot more than that. Your beauty radiates from the inside. You have the most giving heart, and soul. Your beauty shows in your dedication to your work, in the tireless work you do for the causes you believe in, and in the love and respect that you show everyone around you. Lil St. James...Honey, she isn't even in your league. She's shallow, selfish...and if something doesn't benefit her in some way, she's not interested. Only in her dreams could she ever come close to being the amazing woman you are...o.k." he said lovingly.

Tears welled up in her eyes "Oh RJ...I love you sooo much" she said. "I love you to...more than I could have imagined I could love anyone" he lovingly told her. "You believe me, don't you?" "Yes...I believe you" she cooed. RJ got up to leave. "It's late, and you're tired, so I'll leave you to get a good night's sleep. Would you do me the great honor of having breakfast with me in the morning?" he asked as he headed for the door. "I'd love it" she answered. As he reached for the doorknob she said, "RJ, don't go. I really need you to hold me tonight. Would you stay with me, and just hold me...please" she asked. "Sophia, I can't think of a more perfect way to fall asleep than with you in my arms." They got up, turned out the lights and headed for the bedroom. They climbed into bed, cuddled up together and within moments they were asleep. In the warmth of each others arms...they felt like they were home.