Chapter 5

Elizabeth smiled at her work. Kelly's was closed and she wanted to make a special dinner for Ric. She turned the lights down and put out some candles. She had one table romantically set for two. She had the jukebox plugged in and ready with songs she wanted to dance to with him tonight. Ric walked in and looked around in awe. His eyes met with Elizabeth's and he smiled. She looked so beautiful tonight.

Downstairs at the club.

"Well, what do you think?" Carly asked Natalie. She pointed towards the stage where a new, black grand piano sat. "Live piano music every night will definitely add a better atmosphere for the place, don't you think?" She turned around and smiled.

"It's beautiful, Carly," Natalie replied.

Carly gave Natalie an unusual look. Natalie raised one eyebrow. "What do you need, Carly?"

"Well, Sonny said that you play here and there. He said that you played at the restaurant on the island every once and a while. So."

Natalie knew what she was getting at. "A piano player and an accountant? I better get paid double," she said playfully. "But.I'll have to think about it, if that's okay."

"Take your time." Carly picked up her purse. "I've got to go. Can you lock up when you're finished?"

"No problem."

Carly waved good-bye and left.

Natalie had to finish up some paperwork. She couldn't work at the penthouse because she wanted to give Courtney and Jason their privacy. It was a Sunday night, so the club wasn't open and it was perfectly quiet to get some work done. Her stomach started to growl. She looked at her watch and realized that it was too late to go to a fast food restaurant or order a pizza. "Hmmm." she thought to herself. She knew Kelly's was closed for the night upstairs, but she remembered that Carly said it was okay to make something in the kitchen if she needed to. Carly's mother owned the building.

She walked up the stairs to Kelly's, then stopped. From where she was standing, she only had a view of the counter. She saw two plates that were eaten off of and several candles. 'uh-oh.' She thought to herself. 'Looks like someone is having an after hours party of their own.' She stood there for a moment to debate tip-toeing to the kitchen or forget eating Kelly's food all together, but then she heard voices. Her eyes widened when she realized it was Ric and Elizabeth. She started to turn around and head towards the stairs, but her curiosity made her peek around the corner to see what was going on.

Elizabeth was standing in front of Ric and was holding both of his hands. She looked up at Ric when she spoke. Natalie sighed. She knew that look in Elizabeth's eyes. Elizabeth looked so much.in love. Natalie bit her lip. She shouldn't be here during this private moment. Still, her curiosity had the best of her. 'Besides.' she thought to herself. 'Sonny wanted me to do research, right?'

Elizabeth spoke gently. "Ric.when I'm with you, and I look at you.I see this side of you that no one else sees. Sometimes, I see you look down at the floor and fidget before saying something to me. It's so cute. The way you speak to me and the things that you say are so sweet. Sometimes, it doesn't matter what you say. The sound of your voice is just so soothing to me. And the way you touch me? Whether it's running your hands through my hair or leaning your forehead against mine.it's so gentle to the point where I forget to breathe. And with the way you kiss me." Elizabeth started to feel herself blushing. "I get so lost in your kisses that I don't ever want you to stop. And when we do stop.I just anticipate for the next time you decide to kiss me again. What I'm trying to say is 'thank you.' Thank you for sharing this side of you with me."

Ric ran his hand down the back of Elizabeth's head. "I never truly understood fate until now," he whispered to her. ".because fate is the only thing I can think of that could have brought you to me." He leaned down and kissed her.

Natalie's heart dropped. Ric had never said anything like that to her when they were together. She stood there and wished that she was the one standing in front of him.

Elizabeth smiled and walked over to the jukebox. She pushed a button and the music started to play. She walked over to Ric, took his hand, and they started to slow dance.

At this point, Natalie couldn't take it anymore. She turned around and flew down the stairs with tears streaming down her face.