Chapter 7

Natalia was so ready for this conversation with Frank to be done. Between herself, Olivia, Alan, and Doris she wasn't sure she could take any more. As she drove over to Company again, she tried to think of how best to word it to Frank. She was unsure if she should mention Olivia or not. She didn't want to hurt him but she also wanted it to be very clear that she was unavailable.

She and Olivia hadn't discussed what she should say. She was aware that they weren't hiding their relationship but at the same time she didn't want to throw it in Frank's face either. Natalia knew this was not going to be easy. Frank was a good man who had done so much to help herself and her son. The sparks just weren't there, and they were most definitely there with Olivia. Things greater then sparks were there with Olivia.

Arriving at Company, Natalia threw the car in park and cut the engine. She slowly unbuckled and exited the car. This was it. Time to face the music so to speak. She entered the restaurant and Frank instantly looked up hearing the bell. "Natalia! Hey. I'm so glad you were able to make it. I know it's been a crazy day for you."

"Hi Frank. Yes it's definitely been a day and it's not over yet." She said with a small smile.

Frank leaned in to kiss her on the cheek and she pulled back. Frank was a little off put but chose too ignore it. "So you wanna grab a table here or go somewhere else?"

"Um, let's grab the back table. I would like some privacy for this particular conversation."

"Uh okay. Are you alright Natalia? You seem a little off."

"I'm okay, let's sit then we can talk."

Walking to the back booth where there was a little more privacy, Natalia was still trying to find the words. Deciding that a direct approach was best, she began to arrange sentences in her mind. Sitting down she thought she knew the best way to say what needed to be said.

"Let me have pop get us some drinks while you decide what you want."

"Water would be good but I don't think food is going to be necessary."

"Natalia, what's wrong? I can tell something is bothering you. Did something happen with Olivia?"

"Yes. Yes something happened with Olivia but it's not what you think. Um I need to talk to you...about us."

"About us? Okay. What's up?"

"Um….I'm sorry Frank but I can't see you any more."

"What? Why? Is it something I did? Have I come on too strong? I just really like you Natalia. We can slow down if you need."

"No Frank, no. It's nothing you did. It has nothing to do with you at all. It's just…..it's just that I'm interested in someone else. I'm involved with someone else."

"What? Who? The only person I ever see you worth is Olivia."

"Well…."

"Wait, you said something happen with Olivia is this it? Did she tell you not to date me?" His voice was rising with his anger.

"Frank…."

"That bitch. How dare she….."

"Frank!"

"She's has been helping me and then to do this….." His voice continued to rise to the point that most of the customers in Company were staring at him.

"FRANK!" Natalia screamed finally getting his attention. "Olivia did not tell me not to date you."

"Then what? I thought things were going good. I was planning on asking you to go away with me for Valentine's weekend." He said with that sad puppy dog face of his that made Natalia cringe.

"I'm so sorry Frank. Like I said, it has nothing to do with you. You are a good man Frank. I just can't continue to see you when my heart belongs to someone else. Please understand Frank."

"I get it. It's Gus. You're just not ready to date and he still has your heart. I get that. We can take things slow and when you're ready then we can move forward." His expression held so much hope. Natalia truly felt horrible for having to do this to him.

"No Frank. That's not it. I mean yes, I will always love Gus, but that has nothing to do with this. I told you I'm seeing someone else."

"WHO?" He demanded.

"Now isn't the time Frank. I'm so sorry. I'm gonna go." As she stood to leave, Frank grabbed her arm firmly.

"NO! You need to tell me now."

Yanking her arm away she started to walk briskly towards the door. "No Frank, I don't." with those final words she was gone.

Shaking slightly from the anger that was coming off of Frank in waves Natalia unlocked her car and hopped in, ready for nothing more then the safety of Olivia's arms. Luckily the drive home seemed faster then normal and before she knew it she was pulling up the long drive to the farm house.

Once parked, Natalia killed the engine but just sat for awhile. Trying to calm her still frazzled nerves before going in to Olivia and Emma. She wasn't sure how long she stayed like that, just sitting with her eyes closed, but the next thing she knew she was startled by her door opening. "Ahh!"

"Hey, hey it's just me." Olivia tried to calm the frightened women. "What are you doing out here sweetheart? It's freezing."

"Sorry honey. I was just calming down before I came in. Where's Em?"

"She's staying at Jody's tonight. I figured you might need to talk when you came home." From the look on Natalia's face Olivia knew she was more the right. "Come on baby. Let's go inside and you can tell me about it."

"Yeah, okay."

Olivia reached out her hand to help Natalia from the car and didn't let go until they were safe inside the house. "Why don't you take off your coat and sit on the couch. I'll go get us some wine and we can talk."

A small "thanks" could be heard as Natalia slid off her coat and walked to the couch.

Walking back into the living room Olivia handed Natalia her glass of white wine and sat beside her. "I take it Frank didn't take it well."

"That would be an understatement." Natalia said sadly.

"Oh honey, what happened?" Olivia asked bringing Natalia into her arms.

For long moments they just sat there. Olivia ruining her hands soothingly through Natalia's hair. Natalia cried into Olivia's shoulder until finally the tears subsided. Sitting up and wiping her face with the palms of her hands, Natalia was ready to talk. "At first he just wouldn't except what I was saying. I told him I couldn't see him anymore and he immediately assumed that you were telling me not to. When I told him there was someone else he got angry. I tried to tell him I was sorry but he just wouldn't listen. He thought it was about Gus, said we could go slow and wait until I was ready." Sniffling she continued. "I told him it had nothing to with Gus, that I was seeing someone else. He got so angry. He was screaming and when I wouldn't tell him who it was he got worse. I got up to leave and he grabbed my arm demanding I tell him who it was. I pulled away from him and came home to you." She finished sobbing, falling back into Olivia's waiting arms.

Stroking Natalia's back, Olivia set aside her anger at Frank for laying his hands on Natalia and attempted to sooth her love. "Shh baby, everything is gonna be alright. I'm here. I'm so sorry you had to go through that honey. It's over now baby. Take some deep breaths and calm down." While still rubbing her back, Olivia continued to whisper soft words to Natalia until she finally calmed.

"I am so ashamed Olivia, I led him on and now he is so hurt and angry. I am a horrible person."

"Stop, Natalia." Olivia gently demanded while she lifted her face to bring them eye to eye. "You are the furthest thing from a horrible person. Baby, you did not lead him on. You had one date with him and when he wanted a second you told him you needed to talk. You didn't do anything wrong honey. He did. He put his hands on you. It doesn't matter how angry or hurt he was, there is no excuse for that. He should feel ashamed, not you."

"Olivia, he did so much for me and for Rafe. I allowed him to and then just hurt him so bad."

"Natalia, lots of people have done things to help both you and Rafe. Buzz and myself included. Just because someone helps you doesn't mean you owe them a thing. Friends just help each other. No expectations. Frank helped you as a friend. Yes he was hoping for more, but I'm sure he wasn't expecting it, and if he was then he wasn't really your friend. I have known Frankie for a lot of years. He is a good man. Give him a few days to calm down and then, if you want, you can go talk to him, or we can go together."

"Okay. You're right. I know we didn't really date and he is being sort of unreasonable, I just hate to cause people pain. I think I would like to talk to him again once he cools down, and I would like you with me, but I don't think we should tell him about us just yet. Seems he has an anger button where you're concerned. I don't want to hide our relationship, I just don't want to say it straight to him just yet."

"I understand. I do worry about him hearing it from someone else though. Maybe we should not hide it but not flaunt it either. Just for a little while."

"I think that might be for the best. Although I'm not sure exactly what that means."

"Me either, but we will figure it out. Together."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being here for me. For understanding. For loving me."

"I could never not love you. It's as natural as breathing. And I will always be here for you my love. Always." She finished, pulling Natalia into a sweet kiss. A kiss meant to heal and sooth. A kiss that said together, always.