After the Burn Chapter 10
*Lovely Readers, if you haven't done so, please read Chapter 9 first. I posted two updates today (Chapters 9-10)...DimplesValntina
The next day as Lacey drives to visit her family…
Lacey has risen very early to beat rush hour traffic for the three-hour drive to Summerset, New York, where her mother and sister reside in the beach town. Judy Porter, Lacey's mother, is an elementary school teacher. Clara Porter, Lacey's younger sister by 4 years, is not employed at this time.
Samuel Porter, Lacey's dad had died 5 years ago in a car accident. That is the time Judy moved from Green Grove, New York to Summerset to begin in a place that didn't have so many memories of the past. Two and a half years later, Clara joined Judy when Clara had some memories she needed to escape from as well.
As Lacey drives, she remembers that terrifying time when Clara's office romance became a nightmare instead.
Five years ago…
Richard (Ricky) Hewitt was handsome and very charming. He was one of the top brokers at Simon and Euclid Brokerage in White Plains, New York where Clara Porter interned during her Senior year at Syracuse University. Later, she joined the brokerage firm in a secretarial role the first year after college graduation. It was great working for the firm as Clara studied for her series of brokerage certifications.
Clara was immediately attracted to Ricky. He was several years older than her. Although she was the administrative assistant to one other broker besides Ricky, she worked long hours alongside him. With the long hours, she gained a lot of knowledge – far more than the other admin staff. He was her superior at work. However, through the Fall of their long hours together, soon mutual attraction swept through any boundaries of being boss and subordinate.
Ricky knew how to schmooze, how to impress, and how to sweep a young 20 year old off her feet. Ricky said all the right words, planned romantic outings, and would buy presents that she adored. They had to keep their office romance a secret (Ricky said it was the best – especially since she was new to the firm and their relationship may be frowned upon). It didn't matter: Clara felt worshipped. Indeed, Ricky seemed perfect.
What Clara didn't know is that Ricky had a fiancée out-of-state. He was to be married later that following year. As the Fall transitioned to Winter, the secret love affair continued. Then came Spring, there was a change in the air. Now Ricky seemed distracted - although he easily claimed work as the cause.
Clara knew the job was stressful so she sought ways to uplift his mood. She didn't question when her suspicions were triggered by the unexpected trips out of town that didn't include an invitation for her. Sometimes, it was work-related. Other times, it was family-related. After all, Ricky still professed love to her. Besides, she didn't want to be the 'clingy' type.
Clara noticed that she would get some hang-ups on her cell phone whenever she answered the line. She didn't recognize the area code; the area codes did vary at times. She didn't think anything about it. Eerily, she sometimes would feel like she was being watched when she would enter or exit Ricky's condo late at night or in the early morning hours. Clara felt she was imagining things; she didn't see anything unusual whenever she peered around.
Ricky became noticeably more and more distant. Clara finally confronted him. He promised her that all was fine and that he wanted to take them on a vacation to Florida. Clara had eagerly taken a few vacation days off.
On the morning of the trip, Clara was at her townhome (Ricky had helped her to get). She was packing a few last-minute items when there was a knock on her door. There was a female at her door that she did not know. The woman, a few years older than her, stated that her name was Jody Williams. Jody asked, through the glass security door, if Clara knew who she was. Clara told her no. Jody claimed that she was Ricky's fiancée of two years. She was calm and offered proof that what she said was true.
Clara could see this proof through the glass screen door. She was so shocked. Later, Clara would regret that she wasn't thinking clearly at that specific time. Clara unlatched the door's locking mechanism as she had her cell phone in her hand dialing Ricky's lying self. She allowed Jody to enter her apartment in order to place her on the speaker phone so that they could confront him together. After all, they each had been wronged by him.
Next thing Clara knew is that she felt a stinging sensation and everything was black. She woke up with her body tied to a chair, her mouth taped, and Jody with a crazed look in her eyes…and a taser gun in her hand, which she exchanged for the real gun in her coat pocket. Jody said that Clara wasn't the first woman Ricky had conned. It seemed as though he always had a 'thing' for a young intern or new underling. His scam worked well since the females always had to keep things 'hush-hush'. It was the way his affairs operated.
Jody said he needed to feel the pain that she felt. She was tired of the 'side-chicks' he always seemed to have – until he tired of them. Wasn't she good enough? Hadn't she sacrificed enough to be with him?
Jody had called Ricky to come over to Clara's. She hid the gun (and Clara) as she tricked Ricky to come inside Clara's apartment. She claimed Clara was in the living room very upset with finding out the truth. Ricky was angry Jody had come to White Plains, New York. He said that they were finished – even if Clara didn't want him anymore – after finding out about his sordid past.
Clara couldn't warn Ricky of what he was entering into. When he saw Clara tied, he turned to gaze back at Jody, too late, who turn her gun on him. Jody wasn't letting him just walk away from her. They fought. The gun went off. Ricky died on Clara's floor while stating over and over how sorry he was…that he tried to break up with Jody but she refused to do so. Those were his dying words.
Jody was in shock that their fight had caused his death. Her mental state snapped and she took her life in front of Clara. Clara stayed tied in that chair for hours, with two dead bodies lying on her living room floor…with the tape over Clara's mouth while she screamed muffled sounds that no one could hear.
No one had heard the gun shots because that was a small working neighborhood where residents mostly worked daytime hours, like Clara herself – except for one neighbor, Vaughn. Vaughn worked the second shift and came home much earlier than the other neighbors. Thank goodness he noticed that Clara's front door was not closed.
He knew she was a single lady living alone so he came to investigate…to ensure everything was okay. Vaughn freed the frantic, emotionally-scarred Clara and called the police. Lacey and her mother arrived at the hospital where Clara was taken. They each cared for Clara over the next couple of months – once Judy brought Clara to Summerset. Lacey would come home every weekend to help her mother nurse Clara back to health. Soon, Clara permanently moved in with Judy.
Clara was so determined that she would never date any boss…never any co-worker…no one like that again. Lacey, who had lived through her sister's painful nightmare, internally promised herself the same pledge. After her sister's attack, Lacey made the conscious effort to keep Danny (or any other future boss) at arm's length. That was when Lacey established firm boundaries on how she interacted with her handsome young boss, who also was desired by the ladies. After all, boundaries ensured that Lacey wouldn't have a repeat of Clara's history.
Present Day
Lacey shakes her head to clear that mental picture. It is time that Lacey reconciles Clara's past in order to face her own future. She wanted to live her own life and make her own mistakes. Sure, Lacey would use Clara's history as a reference but Lacey wouldn't prevent herself from finding her own path in love.
In Summerset, New York…
When Lacey arrives, her mother has taken vacation time herself to welcome Lacey home. Judy is busy in the kitchen cooking some of the girls' favorites for breakfast. She has ordered both girls out of the kitchen. Clara and Lacey venture outside to the deck to sit at a table under an attached umbrella stand. They enjoy the nice morning as they drink hot chocolate. Judy and Clara are both very happy that Lacey can visit with them a few days.
Lacey smiles as she looks at her sister. Clara has a healthy glow about her. She appears rested. Her eyes are clear and no longer shadowed as if the past still haunts her.
Clara catches her gaze. She is a little self-conscious. "What?"
Lacey's smile deepens as she replies "You look great, Clara…really great."
Clara smiles as she responds "Thank you, Sissy. I feel great."
They talk about Lacey's work and how she is progressing at Marrick Industries. Lacey does not tell Clara about the bet.
The conversation lulls. Then, Clara surprises Lacey with an unexpected question. Clara asks "So, what about the man in your life?"
Lacey shakes her head as she answers "I just have been dating occasionally when I can."
Clara gently poses "So you do date…but have you become serious with anyone? Anyone since Archie?"
Lacey explains "Sis, I have been very busy with work lately…"
Clara interjects "I know how hard you work and I am proud of your accomplishments. Still, don't let work be a substitute for love."
Lacey frowns and tries to lighten the mood. "Did Mom tell you to talk to me? Has she been bemoaning about her friends who have new in-laws and new grandchildren? Remind her that she does have grand 'fur babies' courtesy of you."
Clara laughs. She states "Max and Rocky are sweet and cuddly, for sure, but they don't inspire the same sort of 'oohs' and 'aahs' when Mom shows pictures of them to her friends."
Lacey laughs.
Clara continues with a smile on her face. "Although I am sure Mom does love my dogs, she would much prefer grandkids of the 'human' variety."
Lacey nods. She responds "Look, don't worry. We both have plenty of time to give Mom the pitter patter of tiny feet – human, that is."
Clara confides to Lacey "Tell you what? I have decided to get back out there in the world. I start a new job in two weeks as a broker's assistant. I have also started back out in the dating pool."
"What? That's great! Congratulations!" Lacey exclaims as sets down her hot chocolate and then proceeds to hug her sister. "I am so happy for you! That's so good – the job and dating again. Wow! Do you have your sights already set on someone?"
Clara slyly smiles as she answers "Maybe a certain banker at Wells Heritage Bank. He seems nice. It's just coffee dates here and there…nice and slow…just baby steps."
Lacey encourages "That's good. You should totally go for it. Wow…to think I was hesitant about even discussing this topic with you…"
"What?" Clara is confused.
Lacey explains "Well, I might as well just launch into it…there is this guy at work…he has expressed interest in me. We both are attracted to each other. There are some complications. He is used to a more casual dating style and I am more of a long-term commitment girl. But maybe there can be some compromise that can be negotiated."
Clara interrupts. "That's good, Lacey. Yes, if he really wants to be with you, he should listen to compromise."
Lacey continues with the other complication. "I don't know how you are going to react to this. He…he is my boss…Danny."
Lacey stops talking and looks at Clara to gauge her reaction.
Clara gives a small smile and sets her hot chocolate on the table. She gently places a hand on top of Lacey's, which is resting on top of the table. Clara says in a small voice "It's okay, Lacey. Not every guy is Ricky."
Lacey widens her eyes and clarifies in a rushed breath "I don't want to upset you or cause you to worry about me. Danny is different than Ricky. He doesn't lie…he doesn't have…extenuating circumstances." Lacey puts a decidedly lighter description on Clara's past than the dark, sordid mess that it really was.
Clara clasps her hands within her lap and she turns her gaze away from Lacey and looks off in the distance as she nods that she has heard what Lacey has said. She replies "I am sure Danny is different than Ricky. Lots of men are. That is what I have been learning in therapy. I finally have gotten to that place mentally – not every guy is going to have a hidden past that rears its ugly head…not every guy is going to lie to get what he wants. Some do, but not every guy. And if I ever feel that intuition that something is just not right, then I should listen to it and investigate it. I can't turn a blind eye."
Clara feels Lacey stroke her back. She glances back at Lacey. "Through lots of expensive, but worthwhile therapy…" She laughs. "I have finally decided to not be afraid anymore and to take that chance on the 'what if'. I am ready to live again."
Lacey says in a soothing voice. "That's good, Sis. I am really proud of you."
Clara smiles as Lacey gives her a hug. She says back "I'm proud of me, too, Lacey."
After the hug, Lacey wipes her suddenly misty eyes with a napkin and gives a nervous laugh. Lacey admits "I was scared of what my little announcement might do to you. I had felt the attraction to Danny for quite a while but I ignored it…tried avoiding it…because I had lived through that Ricky crisis right along with you. I didn't want to cause you pain. I also didn't want to put myself in that kind of position to experience that pain either. I denied my attraction to Danny for a long time for both you and me."
Clara's face is troubled. She inquires "Have you deliberately stayed single all this time because of me?"
"Let's just say that there has been no dedicated man, per say, that I had wanted to throw caution to the wind for…well, before Danny." Lacey confides. She doesn't want her sister to feel bad for Lacey's avoidance of office romance.
"And you have been working for Danny for 3 years…not too long after my troubles with Ricky." Clara determines the timeline accurately.
Lacey jumps to protect Clara from feeling responsible. "I was new to the job so I was cautious because I wanted to make a good impression…also cautious because of what others would think…"
Clara interrupts "Also cautious because of your sister's misfortune with her own ill-fated romance with her boss."
Lacey begins "Clara…"
Clara interrupts again – not by words – but by reaching out and placing both of Lacey's hands gently between her own. She looks Lacey in the eyes as she remorsefully confesses "Sweet, dear sister. I apologize. I have done you a disservice."
Lacey vehemently shakes her head. "No…no, you haven't, Clara…"
Clara grasps Lacey's hands more firmly between her own. She smiles sadly. "Yes, I have. You took care of me when I needed you. Now, it is time for me to return that consideration. I feel that you have kept yourself from living life to the fullest – because of what happened to me."
Lacey rejects that idea. She upholds "I enjoy my life, Sis. I have a career I love and my own home. I get to travel, when I can. I have several close-knit friends and best of all, I have you and Mom."
Clara smiles as a tear slides down her cheek. "That's all good, Lacey, but I want even more for you. I am releasing you from whatever guilt that held you back – all because of my past. I want you to find love with that special guy. If this Danny isn't the one, then keep trying until you find that one. I don't want you to ever regret not taking a chance with someone – whether boss or co-worker or any other deserving guy."
Clara rubs Lacey's hands soothingly. Clara advises "That's the key, he has to be 'deserving'. Promise me that you will add that criteria to your list when you look for that special guy."
Lacey smiles as her own eyes get teary. Her voice trembles as she gives her word. "I promise."
When Judy comes outside to bring some of the food she has cooked, she looks alarmed to see her daughters with tears and smiles. They quickly explain the situation. Judy puts down the food and reiterates to Lacey what Clara has advised her. She gives both of her daughters a hug. She envisions a bright future for them both…and perhaps some future 'little ones' – not of the furry canine kind.
After talking with Clara, Lacey decides to seize her future. She texts Danny with an invite to dinner that Friday night after she has returned to Green Grove.
He texts her back with an acceptance. They make arrangements to meet at Café Trattatoria, an Italian restaurant.
Dinner with Lacey and Danny….
Danny and Lacey have placed their orders and are sipping wine. Lacey is anxious to see where Danny's feelings are. She decides to start the conversation.
"I'm sure you are wondering why I invited you tonight." Lacey begins.
"What man wouldn't want to spend an evening with you? You're a beautiful, intelligent woman. Any guy would feel lucky to spend time with you." Danny reasons.
Lacey smiles. "Thank you. The same for you."
"That any guy would feel lucky to spend time with me?" Danny teases as he raises an eyebrow, before he relaxes his expression into a full grin.
Lacey rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Noooo."
Danny is still smiling as he reaches to take a drink from his glass of wine.
Lacey corrects "You know what I mean…I imagine lots of women would love to spend an evening with you." She thinks of one person in particular. "Especially Regina."
Danny's hand stops its progress halfway to his mouth…his drink suspended in his movement. He has his eyebrows raised and his mouth open as he smirks. "You surely didn't invite me here tonight to talk about Regina, did you?"
"No, but while we are accidently on the subject of her, I need to warn you that she stopped by the office today. She supposedly wanted to chit-chat with me since she hadn't seen me in sooo long. While she was there, she staked her claim on you – well, that she was going to be your dancing partner at the Vanlandingham gala…so the other women, like Patricia Tarlington, should watch out." Lacey is irritated bringing up Regina, but she wants to inform Danny of the other woman's intent.
"Thanks for the 'heads up'. I will make sure my dance card is already filled." Danny shrugs one shoulder as if Regina is of no consequence to him. He takes a drink of wine from his glass.
"She seems like the kind to be persistent in what she wants." Lacey cautions.
With a sardonic look on his face, Danny answers. "I'm aware of her 'kind'…the 'kind' who uses their body to supplement their mind." Danny is succinct. He places his wine glass back on the table.
"Yeah. Well, you are in her sights." Lacey warns.
"And my sights are elsewhere." Danny replies. His gaze is on her.
Lacey blushes. "About that…" Lacey builds up her nerve. "There is another reason…the real reason I invited you tonight."
She shyly smiles and takes a breath. As she opens up her mouth to speak…
"Are you breaking up with me?" Danny teases as he raises his hands up in the air with a feigned look of surprise – as if he is asking 'why' she would do such a thing.
Lacey looks at him with a dumbfounded expression on her face. At his remark and the accompanying silly expression on his face, she loses it. She laughs loudly. She covers her mouth to smother out her laugh. She then looks around to make sure she hasn't caused a scene in the restaurant. She glances back at Danny as she tries to get her laughter under control.
Danny laughs as well with his head dropping down and his eyes crinkling. He glances back up at her. He says, with humor still in his voice, "I'm sorry. You just had such a serious expression on your face…I didn't know what to expect. So, I thought I would tease you as a tension breaker."
Danny reaches across the table to place his hand lightly on top of Lacey's hand. He smiles as he says "Whatever it is that you want to say to me, it's not worth all that anxiety."
He raises an eyebrow as he adds "Unless it's that you want to work for Charlie after all?"
Lacey is vehement in her denial. "Never! I'd rather quit."
Danny nods. He says "Let's hope it doesn't ever come to your needing to decide to do that. But seriously, you can talk to me about anything…not only a boss/analyst thing. We could talk strictly as 'regular people' – just as Danny and Lacey. Okay?"
Lacey agrees. She offers a smile. "Okay."
He takes his hand away. "Good. Now that I know you aren't trading me in for Charlie, what is the reason for our dinner tonight?"
Lacey doesn't feel anxious as she had a few minutes ago. She begins "There has always been this 'thing'…this 'chemistry' between us. I've tried ignoring it, avoiding it, or else hoping it would go away. However, none of those have seemed to work."
Danny adds "You haven't been the only one who has tried those methods. I realized quite a while ago that they don't work. So I've simply stopped trying."
Lacey nods. "It has taken me a longer time to get to that realization."
Danny questions "And now that you have?"
Lacey replies "Before I answer that, I think you deserve to know why I have been so adamant about keeping that firm line between us…keeping us strictly as boss and employee."
Danny nods for Lacey to continue talking.
Lacey explains "I have a sister, Clara, and she is a beautiful person with bright personality and a gentle, caring soul. She is the kind who gives her heart fully to whatever cause she supports and to whomever she commits. This was her approach to everything until the day her life fell apart."
Lacey recounts Clara's story of betrayal, heartbreak, and fear. Danny looks at Lacey with a neutral expression on his face as she relays Clara's tale. When Lacey is finished, Lacey awaits Danny's response.
"So, you decided that you would never place yourself in a position to end up like Clara." Danny rationalizes.
"Yes." Lacey responds.
Danny nods as he states "I now fully understand your reluctance to me now and why you kept pushing me away and ignoring the chemistry between us. However, I am not Ricky. I would never be Ricky. When I am with someone, I am fully with them…even if we are only casually dating. No other woman gets my attention or my time – only that one particular woman."
"I know." Lacey did know that from her conversations with Cole. Even when Cole warned that Danny only had light relationships with women (no heavy strings attached), Cole emphasized that Danny was always faithful to the person he was with. It's just that Danny didn't believe in long-term commitments to any woman. His relationships had a limited expiration and never exceeded many months since his breakup with Nicole. After Nicole, Danny preferred 'easy' and 'uncomplicated.'
Lacey depicts another obstacle. "That brings us to another reason for my reluctance. I normally do long-term commitment once I have gotten comfortable with someone and we want to pursue a relationship. I don't casually date for an extended amount of time. Yet, you do."
Danny chooses his words carefully. "I haven't done long-term since my relationship with Nicole and that went down in flames. Normally, I like to keep things lighter so all those heavy emotions don't get involved. While I don't do long-term, I've decided that maybe I can do middle-ground for a change…depending on the right person." Danny looks meaningfully at Lacey.
Lacey bites the corner of her lip before she releases it. "Middle-ground is a little different for me, but I could compromise and try it for a change." Lacey states.
"I don't want to misunderstand anything…just so that there aren't any mixed signals, let's be more specific. What does this mean for me? For us?" Danny inquires.
Lacey takes a breath. She looks at him directly. "It means I would like to stop being the person I was before…the one who runs away from chemistry with you. You have expressed a desire to pursue something more with me. I would like that, too. Although I don't know what complications lie ahead for us while we try to win this bet with Charlie, I still want to explore this 'thing' between us. If it lasts only for a short time, then at least we both wouldn't be wondering 'what if?" I am tired of the 'what ifs'. I am tired of living off someone else's heartache."
Danny audibly releases a deep breath. He smiles slowly with his mouth closed. He looks off and nods. Then he glances back at Lacey. He is pleased and it takes him a moment to compose just the right words. "I had hoped that one day I would hear those words…well, something like those words…same meaning and same end result…but I didn't know if I ever would hear you express wanting to take that next step with me."
He puts one of his hands again over Lacey's but clasps it within his own this time. "This will not be a repeat of Clara's experiences. I have never had a relationship with someone who worked with me. At the same time, I haven't tried this 'middle-ground' arrangement before either. However, I always treat the women I date well. I try my best not to cause heartaches. Whenever the dating is at its end, I try to part ways in the same way I began the association: on a good note. That I promise you." His mouth parts as he widely grins.
"That sounds nice." Lacey smiles back.
"If you ever feel that things are rushing too fast or if you decide that this isn't what you want, you can tell me and I will accept it, okay?" Danny asks.
"Okay. I will." Lacey affirms.
Lacey asks "What does this mean at the office? Not that I expect p.d.a. or anything. I just don't want office gossips or anyone to treat me a certain way if we start dating."
Danny replies "I will make sure that you are never discriminated against due to our relationship. We wouldn't have p.d.a. at the office so no one should question our actions; we still would be professional in front of others. When we are completely alone, we can be more relaxed…"
He shrugs. He gives a small smile. He admits "I don't have all the answers. I'm new to this, too. Let's just take everything, one day at a time."
Lacey nods as she gives a small smile back. "So, we will be just playing things by ear - so to speak."
"Yeah. Are you ready for that?" Danny asks with hope reflected in his expression.
Lacey, still smiling, confirms "Yes. I finally am."
*Lovely Readers, thank you for reading. I appreciate your support.
I didn't have any direct Twisted 'Easter eggs' but I did have some references here and there. I have Danny saying he doesn't want to misunderstand due to any mixed signals (reference to the tv episode where Lacey asks about Tara's death but Danny wants her to stop sending mixed signals, which are driving him crazy and making him think about their kiss every day, all day, all night).
You will notice that in this fic and some others that I have Danny holding up his hands in the air as if he is perplexed by something (this will always be a loose reference to 'Fall Fest' tv episode in which Danny questions Lacey about texting him to meet in private outside in the dark – the moment that led to the first Dacey kiss).
In this fic and others, you will notice that I try to incorporate little mannerisms or quirks that the characters had on the tv show.
Oh, yes, I do have Judy Porter as an elementary school teacher or some type of teacher in a couple of my fics. Robin Givens (as Judy Porter) just reminds me of a teacher or a lawyer usually.
I hope you enjoyed reading both Chapters 9 – 10. Please excuse any typos…tried my best to edit/proofread, but there is always something that escapes the attention.
Next update will be 'The Beautiful Ones' (sometime this weekend)followed by 'The Break' (probably the upcoming week). There may be a one-shot fic happening sometime, too. We will see…
As always, thank you for supporting all Dacey writers.
Continuing to spread the love of Dacey…DimplesValntina