A/N – Thanks for the comments! Ilovedana – Brenda doesn't know Sam. She only met her when she just got in town.* doralupin – Don't I always make it worth it J and devil's advocate if they get an annulment then they can get a real wedding too. They might not have a fighting chance unless they get one. * Guest – Liz feels a lot of pressure right now. She's stressed. * virgy15 – Patience. We're getting there. * LiasonLuv – Totally made me laugh. Is there any guys you missed…hmmmm also remember Jason said he was short. You find out Chapter 12 when all hell breaks lose again.
Chapter 11 - Friction
Elizabeth stared at her computer screen reading the same thing for the fifth time. She just couldn't concentrate. Brenda had been in Jason's office for a half hour and she was livid.
Felix grabbed a chair and plopped down next to her. "You look distracted."
Liz rolled her eyes.
"This wouldn't have to do with that gorgeous international model that is in your husband's office would it?"
Again, Liz didn't answer.
"Should I have said fugly?"
A slow mile appeared on her face and Felix chuckled.
"How are you really doing? He asked seriously.
"Fine. I didn't have a nightmare last night."
That's mainly because she barely slept but she wasn't going to admit it.
"Good. You know, from what I heard in the break room five minutes ago, Jason and Brenda never dated. She was friends with Robin."
"Then why were her lips surgically adhered to his after he answered the door last night?" She said with a snarky tone.
Felix made a face.
"Exactly."
"Did he kiss her back?"
"I don't know. He pushed her away after he heard me gasp. Then she had the nerve to call me a gold digger and tell him that she was saving him from me." She said angrily. "She's lucky I didn't rip out her Jessica Simpson hair extensions."
Felix made a cat sound.
Jason's door opened and Brenda walked out smiling. He followed behind her and Liz cringed when Brenda kissed him on the cheek and walked down the hall.
"Bitch." Liz muttered. And to her astonishment Brenda turned and smiled at Sam who was standing next to Epiphany. "Double bitch." Liz mumbled.
Felix bit his lip. His girl was hella jealous and he wondered if Liz was starting to like Jason more than she'd admit.
"Are you ready for the Giambetti campaign?"
Liz groaned. "I hope so."
"Well, I just heard they moved the meeting up until tomorrow."
"What?" She said loudly.
"I know." He said standing up. "Hope you can come up with something good. Maximus is legendary for being difficult."
Liz pursed her lips. "Then so will I." She muttered.
Felix hoped he hadn't heard her right and then walked away.
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Elizabeth laid a folder on Jason's desk and turned to walk back out.
"Elizabeth."
"Yes?" She said stopping.
"Brenda…."
"Stop. I don't want you to apologize to me on her behalf. She has a big mouth so she's perfectly capable of apologizing on her on, although I won't hold my breath. I also don't want to know why she was here. If you want to be with her then just do it discretely. I don't want to know." She said bitterly.
Jason stood up. "Stop right there." He said slowly and angrily.
Liz shut the door and turned around. "What?"
"I don't want Brenda and she doesn't want me. I wouldn't cheat on you anyway."
"Why not? It's just a stupid fake marriage anyway."
"I don't care if it's fake or not. I'm not a cheater. I still wouldn't disrespect you like that."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't let my presence stop you from doing what you want." She muttered.
"What is your problem?" Jason yelled.
"I don't have a problem Jason. Your friend does. Just keep her out of my face."
"Grow up. You are such a coward." He barked.
Liz growled and stalked over to his desk and grabbed him by his tie and leaned in close. "I am not a coward. I keep getting knocked down and I come out swinging. I'll never let anyone hurt me again including you Jason Quartermaine. Don't ever call me that again." She said shoving him backwards before letting him go and walking out of his office. She didn't even head back to her desk. She jumped on the elevator and pushed the button for the roof and when the door opened she ran and over to the railing trying to catch her breath. Every fiber of her being wanted to run; to leave town and just get away from Jason and everyone else she wanted to avoid. But she couldn't because then it would prove him right. She had a future now; a job that she had really wanted. Running was not an option. She had been running for too long and she was exhausted.
And then there was Jason. She didn't even understand why he made her so furious. It wasn't like he was mean to her but he still scared her on a such a deep level that being around him made it almost hard for her to breathe. The pressure was starting to really overwhelm her. Between, getting married, the press, starting a new job, and getting attacked, Elizabeth was mentally exhausted.
Taking a few cleansing breaths, she slowly turned around and looked at the elevator. She was probably the talk of the office right now but she was going to go back down there and hold her head up high and get back to work. She blew out one last breath and was on her way.
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Jason watched her walk by his office and sighed. She was so stubborn and hot headed and obviously hated his guts. Throwing down his pen, he got up and walked over to the window. Why did he always do and say the wrong things to her? She just made him so mad sometimes.
"Penny for your thoughts."
Jason turned around. "Hey mom."
She smiled and walked towards him and gave him a hug. "You don't look too happy."
"I had a little fight with my wife."
Monica sat down. "It happens. The question is how are you going to make it up to her?"
"What makes you think it was my fault?"
She gave him a look and Jason chuckled.
"It was actually Brenda."
Monica frowned. "Brenda? She's in town?"
"Yes. She is trying to defend my honor."
Monica chuckled. "I take it that ended badly?"
"Very badly. She insulted Elizabeth and now she's mad at me."
"I hope you at least defended her."
"Of course I did but apparently, that wasn't enough." He said dejectedly.
"I'm scared to ask what Brenda did." Monica said.
"I just don't think I can fix it." Jason said.
"Please tell me that Liz didn't find you in bed together."
Jason frowned. "No. But, Brenda did kiss me."
"Really? Did you kiss her back?"
"No. I mean it took me a minute to register what was happening but I don't want her like that."
"Then what's the problem?" Monica asked.
Jason sighed. He really was on dangerous ground. Monica couldn't find out that his marriage was a ruse.
"It's just been a little tense between us since she was attacked. She's having a hard time."
"You just need to patient."
"I don't think that is the issue. Anyway, you didn't come here to chat about my love life."
Monica smiled. "Nice deflection. No, I didn't come here for that. I wanted you to come over for dinner tonight but maybe that's not such a good idea."
"I'm sorry but it's probably better if we put it off."
"That's fine. I understand. I do hope you work it out though. I think she's good for you." Monica said trying to reassure him.
"Thanks."
Monica left and Jason got up and shut the door and called Diane.
"Yes? Did you manage to screw it up already?"
"I didn't but Brenda did."
Diane groaned. "Great."
"I need a favor."
"I'm not taking out Brenda."
Jason smiled. "That wasn't what I was going to ask but…."
"It's still a no." Diane said smiling. "I don't want to get my new shoes scuffed and all that plastic might damage my manicure."
Jason chuckled. "I actually need you to leak something to the press; do it over several sources over the next week or so."
Diane sighed. "I already know I'm not going to like this, but go ahead."
"Just put it out there that there is trouble in paradise; that Liz is having a hard time dealing with the attack."
"And why would I want to do that?"
"Because she doesn't want to be with me Diane. I thought for a brief moment that maybe she'd be open to try but she's not and I don't want to force her." He said sadly.
"I'm sorry."
"So am I."
"I'll get right on it." Diane said ending the call.
His phone buzzed in his hand and he looked down. It was from Elizabeth. "I'm sorry."
"Me too." He muttered.
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Liz pulled Spinelli into an empty office. "I need your help."
"How can I help you radiant one?"
"Sam is trying to ruin my marriage and my career. I need something on her."
"The Viperous one shall not succeed. The Ace of Cyberspace is on the job." Spinelli said smiling.
"Awesome. I need to take her down. I'm sure she has screwed up somehow in the past, and I want to expose her for the venomous slut she really is."
Spinelli grinned. He didn't like Sam. She was always mean to him.
"I think she was the one that brought Brenda here. See if you can prove that as well."
"I'm on it."
Liz smiled. "Thank you Spinelli. I promise that I'll pay you back somehow."
Spinelli blushed. "It is my privilege and pleasure to help you. Payment is not required."
Liz smiled and walked out. Sam was going to pay if it was the last thing that she did.
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The next day came quickly. Jason had basically left Elizabeth alone and tried to focus on work. He barely saw her before the meeting with Maximus.
His door opened.
"Jason." Maximus said smiling. "How's it going?"
"I'm good." Jason said smiling back. He shook his hand and motioned towards the chair.
"Nice office."
"Thanks."
Maximus cleared his throat. "I hope you have something good for me today."
He nodded. "I hope you like it too. They should be sending for us shortly.
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Elizabeth watched Maximus and Jason walk into the conference room. Felix was sitting next to her and he was a little nervous about his presentation. She squeezed his leg and gave him a smile.
"Everyone, this is Maximus Giambetti." Jason said.
"Hello. I'm looking forward to seeing what wonderful things you came up with."
Jason looked over at Felix. He got up and Leticia turned off the lights and their idea was humorous and a bit old fashioned like Maximus liked. They finished and Maximus smiled. "I like it."
Carly got up and gave their presentation and it wasn't bad. It was a traditional wine commercial. It didn't thrill Maximus but he didn't hate it. She had overruled every decision Sam had made and basically had done everything herself.
Liz stood up and walked to the front of the room. "Mr. Giambetti, I went in a different direction then your normal formula."
Jason was surprised. He looked over at Skye who looked a little worried too.
"No offense, but I'm not really trying to reinvent the wheel here." Maximus said dryly.
"Well I think you need to do something."
Jason's mouth dropped open.
Maximus was stunned she was taking a hardline with him. It was something that he wasn't used to which made him instantly intrigued. "And why is that?"
"Because I've read all of your financial statements. The traditional commercials are not resonating with the younger demographic that you say you want to attract. Even in the other demographics, your numbers are down."
"Just who do you think you are?" Maximus asked indignantly.
Jason started to interrupt but Elizabeth put her hand up.
"Mr. Giambetti, I'm not trying to insult you. I drink your wine all the time and it's good. Your Chianti is to die for. I'm trying to help you make more money. Sure we can put out the same type of campaign you always do but I have the numbers that prove that it's not working. So, it's really up to you. We can even put out two different kind of ads if you want. But the bottom line is that you need to do something to start generating some kind of viral interest. Don't get me wrong, I love your commercials. I am in love with Italy and enjoy the rich landscapes and the beautiful music and that is definitely attractive to the older crowd. I say that we run a social media campaign that specifically targets the twenties and early thirties crowd. If you can reach both markets, then that means a lot more cash for you." She said before taking a sip of water.
The room was silent for a moment. Maximus shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was curious what she had in mind. He liked that Elizabeth wasn't afraid of him. "I'm listening."
Jason let out the breath he was holding as did everyone else.
"What if the commercial featured a wine tasting event? A few people comment about what they taste—a hint of this or that, and then the camera pans to a younger guy. I picture him cute but a little nerdy. He tastes the wine and sees a vision; maybe a beach at sunset, he pours some Giambetti wine into a glass and a beautiful woman appears out of nowhere and he hands her a glass and she sips it and then arduously looks at him. You hear a record scratch. He's back in the present and everyone is staring at him, waiting for him to say something, and he clears his throat and says, I'll take a case please. There's a voiceover that states, "Giambetti wine, it's a mindset really…." You see the bottle of wine and the nerd and the girl kissing in the shadows. We could have a series of them with the same guy in different situations….maybe he's at a party or a rave and it's loud and he goes to the bar and ask for a glass of Giambetti wine. The bartender gets him one and you see the party in the background but suddenly it's silent and soft music is playing and a cute nerdy girl sits down next to him and eyes his glass. She says, "I'll have what he's having." I think you see where I'm going with this. Some of the ads can even be funny. We can have people choose the ending for a few campaigns or casts votes on the finished ad. It would get them involved."
Maximus thought about what she was saying. "I think I can see your vision. It's not what I'm used to at all but I'm not really an expert on the internet or what young people want. If you think this is the way to go then I'll take a leap of faith. We'll do the first ad and the internet campaign. Make it happen." Maximus said with a slight smile.
Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you so much for giving it a chance."
Maximus stood up. "I have another meeting."
Jason stood up and followed him out.
Carly didn't know how Elizabeth did it. Felix gave her a hug. They had both done well and he was happy Elizabeth asked to do both ads.
Sam rolled her eyes and left the room. Elizabeth Quartermaine was the bane of her existence.
