A/N – Thank you so much for the reviews. Hope you like the chapter.

Chapter 21 – The Ex

Felix and Brenda planned Jason and Elizabeth's outfit for the event. Brenda also insisted on dressing the guards.

A courier drove the clothing down from Manhattan and Brenda excitedly helped Elizabeth get dressed, while Felix tended to Jason.

Brenda had chosen a purple dress that was off the shoulder and had short sleeves. It dipped down in the front and there were layers of chiffon that went all the way to the floor. It made Elizabeth look so soft and feminine.

"Beautiful." Brenda muttered as she took in Liz's appearance. Her hair was piled onto her head in a messing bun.

Elizabeth blushed. "I love it."

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Felix helped Jason put on his tux jacket and straightened his bow tie. The combination of his longer hair and the tux was pretty hot. "Looking good Jason."

Jason didn't reply. He didn't really feel comfortable, but he knew he didn't have a choice but to wear it.

They walked over to the other penthouse and when Elizabeth walked up to him, she took his breath away.

"You look really handsome." Elizabeth said smiling. What she really was thinking was that he looked delicious. Jason Morgan was a gorgeous man and Liz couldn't wait to walk into the room on his arm.

"You look beautiful." Jason said softly.

"Thank you."

Brenda smiled at the way they were staring at each other. She gave Liz some last minute instructions on who she needed to talk to and Jason and Elizabeth left and got in the elevator.

Jason wrapped his hands around hers and Liz smiled. They headed to the Metro Court, unaware of Carly's scheming.

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Jason walked up the red carpet with Liz on his arm as the cameras clicked away and the flashes threatened to blind him.

They were pulled aside by an entertainment t.v. host. "Elizabeth, it's so good to see you tonight. You look gorgeous."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said smiling.

"Is Brenda going to make it tonight?"

"I'm sorry but she's in Paris. But, she sends her love."

The host smiled. "And who is this drop dead gorgeous man you are with?"

Liz grinned. "His name is Jason."

The host was practically salivating.

"Well, don't let that one out of your sight."

"Oh, I won't." She said squeezing Jason's hand.

They finally made it inside and took their seats. Models started to come out and Jason looked around the room. And when he looked back at the runway, his mouth dropped open.

Elizabeth frowned and looked on stage. She had no idea what had caused his reaction as Gia sashayed down the runway.

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Carly watched with glee as Jason reacted. It was just like she had hoped. Elizabeth didn't stand a chance against that kind of history. She hoped she'd be out of the penthouse by tomorrow morning.

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The runway show finished and Elizabeth got up to mingle. They went into another room where there were drinks and appetizers being served. Jason was very attentive with her and tried not to be bored out of his mind with all the fashion talk. Felix had tried to go over a few things with him so Jason wouldn't be so lost.

Gia had changed and walked out into the room. She had a stunning dress on and looked beautiful. Finally spotting Jason, she walked towards him and their eyes met when she was several feet away.

Elizabeth looked up at Gia and then back at Jason. He was still holding her hand but she could sense something was up.

"Hello Jason." Gia said quietly. "It's good to see you."

"Hello." He said softly taking her in.

Gia finally looked down at Elizabeth. "Hello, you work with Brenda right?"

Liz smiled. "Yes, I do."

"I'm Gia Campbell."

Elizabeth's heart started beating faster. "I'm Elizabeth Corelli." She said shaking her hand. Elizabeth kind of felt inadequate standing in front of the beautiful woman and wonder how Jason was feeling about her presence.

Jason was still silent. He had a lot of mixed emotions when it came to Gia. Most of all, he was just floored that she was there.

"I was wondering if I could steal Jason away from you for a minute. We haven't talked in a long time."

Liz squeezed his hand. "Go ahead. I see some people I need to speak with."

Jason frowned and looked at her. There was no way he wanted Elizabeth to feel slighted. It was awkward for the both of them.

"It's okay Jason." She said softly before turning and walking away.

"She seems nice."

"She is. Let's go onto the balcony."

Gia nodded and they made their way outside.

"How are you?" Gia asked curiously. He was still every bit as gorgeous as he was before; maybe even more so.

"I'm great."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"And you?"

I'm great too. My modeling career is doing well. I'm a little bit older and wiser."

Jason shifted uncomfortably. Gia was still beautiful. He was shocked that she was there and he felt really off; not sure what he was supposed to say to her.

"Is Elizabeth your girlfriend?"

"Yes." He said without hesitation.

Elizabeth and Jason hadn't labeled their relationship but that is what he wanted her to be.

"Are you happy?"

Jason smiled. "Very."

"It's hard for me to be back here and see you because I still feel so guilty about how we left things."

"Gia, you shouldn't. You did what you had to do."

She nodded. "You always do that."

"What?"

"Put your needs aside and even when I'm wrong, you still try to smooth it out and pretend I'm not."

Jason smirked. He looked out into the room. "I should get back to Elizabeth. It's been good to see you."

"It's been good to see you too.

He started to walk away and she grabbed his hand. "Jason."

Jason closed his eyes at her touch. It almost hurt. "Yes."

"I don't regret taking the opportunity that I did, but I do regret that I lost you in the process. I'm glad that you are happy. And I hope that Elizabeth will eventually give you the family and life that you want."

"I hope so too."

Watching him walk away, Gia took a deep breath. The encounter hadn't been as bad as she had thought it would be. She wiped a tear away realizing that she had given up so much in order to be a model. She had left behind a man whose loyalty knew no bounds and whose love was all encompassing. But she wouldn't change anything that had happened, because she loved her life.

Carly walked up to her with a smug look. "So, I saw you talking to Jason."

Gia took a deep breath. "Yes, it was good seeing him."

"Do you still love him?"

Gia smiled. "Carly, you hated it when I was with Jason. Why the deep thaw?"

"Answer my question."

"You and I both know that once you've been with Jason a part of you always stays a little bit in love with him. Why do you care?"

Carly smiled and didn't say anything.

"Oh my God," Gia said, "You don't like Elizabeth. You're probably pulling the same shit that you did with me."

"Oh please, like you're some angel. No, I don't like her. She is not right for Jason. Elizabeth will just end up hurting him."

"Like you haven't. You're just jealous because you are not sleeping in his bed and he doesn't look at you the way he looks at her." Gia said putting her hands on her hips.

"Whatever Gia. You are still such a disappointment. You could have Jason back. He was in love with you. But instead of going for it, you are going to let Princess Purity win. They've barely been seeing each other. It's not like they have some great love."

Gia sighed. "Oh Carly, you never learn do you? Jason is not mine for the taking. Why can't you let him be happy?"

Carly rolled her eyes. "He is happy when he's being my best friend."

Gia chuckled. "It's always about you isn't it? You can't stand it that you aren't the center of his world. I can't wait until Jason wakes up and kicks you to the curb."

"Jason will never kick me to the curb. He loves me."

Gia shook her head. "Keep telling yourself that Carly." She said walking away realizing that Carly was still as delusional as she was before.

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Jason found Elizabeth and pulled her into his arms. "I missed you."

Liz smiled. "Did you now? I figured that your gorgeous ex might have spirited you away from me."

Jason frowned. "My God Elizabeth, you have no idea how beautiful you are. Do you?"

She looked away and he touched her chin and moved her face back towards him. "Elizabeth, you are beyond beautiful. Your skin is so flawless and soft. I could get lost in those beautiful eyes that are like a window to your soul. And your lips drive me absolutely crazy. You are the total package and I don't want you to ever forget that."

Elizabeth was so taken aback by his declaration that she was speechless.

Gia watched Jason talking to Liz and could tell that he loved her. She walked up to them. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, but there is something that you need to know?"

Jason looked at her curiously. "What is this about?"

"Carly."

Jason rolled his eyes.

"You need to know that Carly was the one that actually invited me to this event. I was so flattered at the time, but now I know why."

"Go on." Jason said knowing that it wasn't good.

"She just approached me on the balcony asking me how our talk went and she wanted to know if I still had feelings for you."

Gia saw Elizabeth's face drop and she quickly tried to clarify. "Elizabeth, I'm not after Jason. There will be a part of me that will always love him, but I'm not in love with him. You don't have to worry about me because I have no desire to try and break up your relationship. I see the way Jason looks at you. I wouldn't have a chance anyway."

Jason squeezed Liz's hand.

"Just watch your back. Carly hates you and I think she'd do just about anything to get you away from Jason."