Hey guys! Sorry I've been away for so long but my computer has a virus and I'm trying to write by grabbing some time on my friend's computers. Hopefully though, my computer should be fixed soon and since half term is the week before next I'll be able to start writing properly again. That is if the teachers decide to be merciful and not kill me beneath a tonne of work. Anyway...moving onto the story, this is the penultimate chapter. I can't believe I'm so close to finishing it when I started it. Thank you to all the people who have stuck by me and continued to review. I love you guys. Here's chapter twelve…
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Chapter 12
'You bitch.'
Neela and Ray jumped apart at the unexpected interruption and both faces drained of colour at the look of pure anger and hurt on Abby's face.
'Abby…' Ray started, trying to squelch the feelings of guilt bubbling in his chest.
'Don't' she cut him off, her tone frighteningly neutral.
'I just came by because I felt bad for not being here to comfort Neela. But I can see now that she is in more then capable hands.'
Neela watched as Abby spun around and headed for the door. She felt incredibly disappointed with herself for betraying her best friend who had always been there for her since she had started at County. Neela knew that Abby probably needed time to think about things and was still in shock but she couldn't let her just walk out without at least trying to salvage some remnants of their friendship. It was selfish, she knew, but Neela wasn't thinking clearly at the moment either.
'Abby, please wait. At least let me explain.'
Ray watched the scene silently, his heart painfully clenched both for the woman he loved who he could see struggling with what the right thing to do was in the present situation, and his girlfriend (or ex-girlfriend now considering the circumstances) who was trying desperately to hold onto a shred of dignity. He could see Abby struggling with her emotions but at Neela's plea the fire ignited in her eyes and Ray prepared himself for the onslaught. He did deserve it after all.
'Explain? EXPLAIN!?!?! How are you going to explain the fact that my friend, my best friend, is screwing my boyfriend!?! Huh? I can't hear you saying anything Neela. What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Oh wait, now I remember, it's probably stuck down his throat. But don't worry, I understand, my mother always did tell me to be careful of the quiet ones. You're a cheap slut Neela and you always will be.'
Neela just stood quietly, tears streaming down her face as Abby screamed at her, the venom apparent in her voice. She just stood there, not moving and not speaking, aware that Abby had every right to be mad at her. Still, she couldn't help but mourn the loss of her friend as her worst fears played out right in front of her.
Abby had finally decided to take a breath and she was breathing rapidly, her face mere inches from Neela's.
Neela knew that this was probably the only chance she would get to speak to her. So gathering all the courage that she could muster, Neela took a deep steadying breath and said the only thing that she could in this moment.
'I'm sorry.'
Ray watched from the sidelines as the scene played out. At that moment he loathed himself more than he ever had before. He'd hurt these two women and probably ruined their friendship irreparably. It was all his fault and he felt his own tears rise at the realisation.
Ray saw Abby's eyes fill with fury at Neela's quiet apology. He moved quickly to try and prevent what he knew was about to happen but wasn't quick enough and watched in horror as a crack resounded in the apartment and Neela's head snapped to the side with the force of Abby's slap.
Ray rushed forward and grabbed her wrist before she could throw another.
'Abby' Ray reprimanded, still in shock at what she'd done and moved protectively in front of Neela.
'How dare you 'Abby' me. She deserves everything she gets and so do you. You just couldn't keep your dick in your pants could you? Ray Barnett, the rock doctor, has to have everything that walks in front of him. Well I hope you go to hell you cheating bastard. Both of you.'
Abby wrenched her hand out of Ray's grip and staring at the pair one more time, stormed out of the apartment, the door slamming shut behind her.
Ray turned to Neela who was swaying on the spot. Facing her he reached out and caressed her cheek gently, trying to soothe the red mark forming on it.
Startled, Neela looked up and saw Ray looking lovingly at her, his warm hand sending tingles through her cheek and soothing the dull pain. But the guilt she felt mixed with the regret she was sure Ray would feel sent her over the edge and she ran towards her room.
Ray felt his heart break when Neela jerked away from his touch and closed her bedroom door behind her. He could hear her sobs and could feel tears well up in his eyes. She obviously regretted what had happened between them. Ray collapsed onto the couch, his face buried in his hands as tears streamed steadily down his face.
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Neela stood outside the living room, watching Ray sleeping peacefully on the sofa. He looked so angelic that she had no idea of the turbulent emotions he had been feeling only a few short hours ago.
Seeing him shiver slightly, Neela walked over and covered him with the blanket that was lying at the end of the sofa. She sat down silently in front of him and felt a burst of love for her roomie.
Neela felt the urge to kiss him and for once didn't try to resist. After all, this might be the last kiss they would ever share. Leaning down, Neela softly placed her lips against his. She felt like she was in heaven. Reluctantly, Neela pulled away.
She continued to stare at Ray for a few moments before getting up. Walking quietly back to her room so as not to wake Ray up, Neela yelped in shock when she felt her hand being held in a tight grasp and stopped where she stood. Turning around slowly she saw Ray's startling green eyes looking at her behind lowered lids.
Not knowing what to do, she just stood there silently as Ray stood up and walked towards her, her hand still firmly clasped in his. Neela was transfixed as his eyes loomed over her and with every passing breath got nearer. She felt her own breath become shallow as he rested his forehead against hers, his lips achingly close.
Ray had sensed Neela's eyes on him and had feigned sleep, determined not to let her see him heartbroken. But as she sat down beside him and kissed him tenderly he couldn't help but let his emotions get the best of him.
Ray knew that they really needed to talk. After the climactic events of the day they were both spent, physically and emotionally. But seeing Neela's beautiful face and getting lost in her doe eyes only served to make him forget any rational thought and was overcome with the urge to hold her in his arms. And he did exactly that.
Neela felt herself melt into Ray's warm and comforting embrace. All thoughts of what had happened over the last few weeks drifted away as she pressed her body closer to his, needing to feel his reassurances surround her.
'I love you Neela' Ray murmured into her hair.
'Nothing is ever going to change that. I'm sorry about what happened today. I didn't want to hurt Abby anymore then you did but it happened. I want to try to get past this, I want us to try to get past this. Because despite everything, I love you more than anything in the world and I want us to work.'
Ray took a much needed breath, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. But Neela's continuous silence was eating a hole through his stomach.
Letting out a shaky laugh, Ray tried to lighten the mood. Unsuccessfully.
'I declare my love and all I get is silence. Aren't you even going to throw a glass of wine in my face? As I understand it that's routine procedure when a guy gets a serious case of footinmouthitis.'
Ray tried to get his mouth to shut up but he couldn't seem to stop babbling. That was until he felt Neela's mouth pressing hard against his. Groaning in need, he pulled her closer and thoroughly ravaged her lips.
Neela had stood quietly during Ray's speech and had felt her heart swell with happiness at his loving words. But soon enough the mood was ruined by Ray's incessant babbling and she had had to try hard to stifle her giggles.
Pulling away slowly, Neela looked up into Ray's shocked face, the words she had been dying to say finally passing through her lips with ease.
'I love you too.'
To say that Ray had been shocked when Neela kissed him would be an understatement but he had gladly returned it and protested when she started to pull away.
However, Ray's face split into the most brilliant smile at her admission of love and proceeded to kiss her again, his hands running up and down her petite frame.
Laughing, the pair continued to kiss as Ray slowly backed them towards his bedroom. Towards his warm, comfortable, and very bouncy bed.
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I hope everyone enjoyed that. It's slightly shorter then I had planned but oh well. You can't force those creative juices. LOL! And here comes the part of my author's note that you all recognise. PLEASE REVIEW! I know that I haven't been reviewing much lately either but at least I have a reason. You don't. So press that button. You know you want to. LOL!
