The walk home was a short one. But it was long enough for her to realize
she had forgotten her keys when she left.
'Damn! How am I going to get inside? What if he catches me? What do I say? Should I tell him Jason is back? I can't, he will feel threatened. He will do something stupid. God, what am I going to do?'
She arrived on her doorstep and was thankful that she had left it unlocked.
She took off her shoes and cleverly avoided every floorboard that creaked. When she got into the bedroom she slowly made her way across the floor but tripped over Lucky's slippers. She fell hard on her side, her face hitting the corner of the bed frame hard, and her leg hitting her dresser.
'OUCH! Ouch! Please, don't wake up Lucky. Please! Ouch.'
She heard Lucky move on the bed.
'Is he awake? Please, God, don't let him be awake. Please.'
But she heard his heavy breathing and knew he was asleep.
'Thank God.'
She crawled over, in excruciating pain, to the bed. She slowly climbed up and found the covers. She pulled them up over her head and laid awake for a long time, afraid Lucky was going to wake up. But he did not. Eventually she calmed down and finally drifted off into sleep . . .
**************************************************************************** ************* **************************************************************************** *************
It was winter. The snow had been light but enough to coat the ground. She walked through the cold, thick, snow until she could see it in the clearing. She walked faster, anticipation getting the better of her. She knew he wasn't there, that he had perished in the fire, but every time she came she imagined he would be there.
But that day she found someone else. A man she barely knew lying in the snow bleeding.
She flashed back to herself lying in the snow bleeding. She remembered how Lucky had saved her. She knew then that her destiny was to save this man. But what she never bargained for was him saving her.
And he had so many times that she had lost count.
**************************************************************************** ***** **************************************************************************** *****
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
She slammed her hand down on the alarm. Her head was still covered with the blanket.
'Another day.'
She felt around for Lucky but realized he must already be up. She lifted the blanket off and went into the bathroom that was connected to her bedroom. She had a slight limp when she walked and her face felt like she had ran head-first into a brick wall.
'I hope it didn't leave a mark. . .'
She closed the door and turned on the bathroom light. When she looked in the mirror she noticed the horrible purplish-brown bruise on her face.
'Oh no! How do I explain this? I was mugged in the night when I snuck out? Ugh! What am I going to tell Lucky? How do I explain this? Wait, make-up! Where is it?'
She started frantically searching the bathroom for her make-up bag. She found it a few seconds later. She dug through it and quickly found her liquid concealer.
'Okay, just cover it up. He won't notice anything!'
She put on a few layers until the color was almost the correct shade.
'I'll have to ask Gia later how the make-up artists at Deception covered up the bruise she had when got when she was mugged.'
She got ready for work and opted to skip breakfast. She could not face Lucky. She knew that her eyes would betray her if she didn't betray herself to him.
When she was opening the door he came up behind her and made her jump. "Lucky!" She screamed, turning towards him.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I just wanted to kiss my wife goodbye."
'Ugh.'
She plastered on her fake smile, not remembering the last time she had actually smiled, and quickly kissed him.
'On Jason's motorcycle.'
"Lunch today?" He asked, after their lip-lock.
"Oh, Lucky! I forgot, I promised Nikolas and Gia I would have lunch with them."
He looked at her like he noticed the slight discoloring on her cheek but said nothing.
"We could all have lunch together."
"Not if the three of us are discussing gifts for someone's birthday!" She said, pretending to sound enthused.
He smiled.
"But baby, I thought we agreed on today. And when did you decide this? Nikolas and Gia did not say anything last night."
'The show had been only last night? Last night felt like ages ago.'
"Last night when Nikolas and I talked before I left."
"Oh. Okay. But promise that tomorrow we can have lunch."
"I promise."
'Maybe I can figure a way to get out of that before tomorrow.'
Lucky was going to kiss her again but she separated herself from him with the door. As soon as she got outside she pulled out her cell and dialed.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Hello?"
"Gia, it's Elizabeth."
"Hey, girl. What's up? Get home last night?"
"Yeah, I got home fine. But I had a little problem and I need your help."
"What?"
"Remember when you got mugged and had that horrible bruise and the make-up girls at Deception covered it for your shoot?"
"Yeah, why?"
"How'd they do that?"
"Why?" Gia asked, concerned for her friend. She knew her marriage to Lucky was on the rocks.
'This is embarrassing.'
"I tripped in my bedroom last night because I could not turn on the light and my head hit hard against the bed frame. I have this horrible bruise."
"Oh, um . . . I'm dropping Nikolas at L&B so I could swing in and help you."
'Nikolas cannot find out because he will overreact when he finds out I was out with Jason.'
"Is it possible we could meet somewhere or do something else? I'd rather not have Nikolas know."
Gia knew that Elizabeth was not the clumsy. With her excuse and not wanting to tell Nikolas . . . she definitely thought something was 'wrong'.
"I won't have time without Nik finding out. Just go to L&B and hide in Chloe's office or something. She is usually late and I'll just slip in and fix you up before anyone sees you."
"Okay, thanks. You're a life saver, Gia."
"Yeah . . .'bye."
"Bye."
* * *
When Elizabeth got to L&B, Nikolas and Gia were already there. When she walked in she noticed two sets of eyes on her. She shot a glance at Gia. Nikolas took a long hard look at her.
'No! What is he doing here? I told her not to tell him.'
"What's going on, you guys?" She asked, her voice remaining calm.
"Why don't you tell us?" Nikolas asked.
'What the hell?'
"Nothing . . . nothing is going on."
"What's with all the concealer and asking me to cover up the bruise?" Gia piped in.
'I told her.'
"I already told you, it was an accident."
"Then why not tell me?" Nikolas asked.
'What did they think it was from . . . ?'
"Because you worry too much. I didn't want you to worry for no reason. It was an accident."
"Is that what Lucky told you?" Gia asked.
'Lucky? What does he have to do . . . They think Lucky hit me? Oh my God! Lucky would never hit me. Never. Why would they ever think that?'
"Lucky did not hit me. I told you what happened. It was just an accident. Lucky would NEVER hit me."
"In the past we've seen Lucky do things that were out of character . . ." Nikolas added, hinting at his brainwashing.
'That was when he was brainwashed. He's all better. He would never do that. Why would they ever consider it?'
"You guys, are you even listening to yourselves? This is Lucky, MY HUSBAND, you are talking about. He would never do that, EVER."
Before anyone could respond, the door almost hit Elizabeth and she quickly moved out of the way. Her limp became obvious.
Nikolas and Gia stared at eachother.
Ned entered.
"Hey, Nik, Gia, Liz, I'm sorry about the door. . ." He started but then saw the bruise that Elizabeth was trying to hide, "What happened?"
'Why did he have to ask?'
"I tripped." She said, a little upset.
He looked at her and shot a glance at Nikolas and Gia.
"Tell Chloe I felt sick." She said before storming out. She could not believe what they thought.
'Things aren't exactly the best in our marriage but Lucky would never hit me. He would never do anything like that. He saved me. He loves me. Never ever would he raise his hand at any woman, especially me.'
When she got out of the building she hailed a cab.
"Where ya heading, miss?" The driver asked.
'I cannot go to Lucky, not with this. Gia and Nikolas do not believe me. Emily is with Zander, most likely, God-knows where. . .'
"Elm Street Pier." She said, hesitating slightly.
'Again I'm running towards him. Just last night I told myself I couldn't- wouldn't-run to him. But the first problem that arises and here I am taking a cab to my studio. God, Elizabeth, you have to learn not to run to him! You need to learn to handle things on your own.'
She was about to ask the cab driver to stop but they were seconds from the pier, and her studio.
'No use now. I might as well visit since I am here.' * * * Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Deception Cosmetics. Elton speaking, how may I direct your call?"
"Elton, this is Chloe Morgan."
"Ah, Ms. Morgan. How may I help you?"
"Is Lucky Spencer there yet?"
"Yes, let me just connect you to him. Hold one second."
"Sure."
Click. Click.
"Lucky Spencer."
"Hello, Lucky. This is Chloe."
"Chloe? Hi. Can I help you?"
"Yes, I hope. I was wondering if you had seen or heard from Elizabeth?"
"Elizabeth? She's not there?"
"No. Ned told me that when he came in her, Nikolas, and Gia were having an altercation. She stormed off and I have not heard from her. I was hoping you had."
"No, I haven't. I'll be sure to tell you if I do."
"Okay. Thank you."
Click.
* * * She knocked softly on her own studio door.
'Please let him not hear me. Please just have him be asleep. That way I won't have to see him. I cannot see him. What am I even doing here? Why did I come here of all places? Why can't I tell my husband? Why do I always run to . . .'
Jason opens the door. His eyes immediately go to the mark on her face.
A single tear starts to roll down her cheek.
"Jason." She says, softly, barely above a whisper.
'Don't let him fix you. You need to learn to fix yourself! Walk away, Elizabeth!'
He pulls her into his arms.
'Why do his arms have to feel like this? Why does he make me feel like this? Why doesn't Lucky make me feel like this?'
"It's not what you think, Jason." She said, her words muffled.
"Tell me."
He let her step out of his embrace. He shut the door as she walked over to the couch.
'Leave. Walk away. This was a bad idea'
"I shouldn't be here. I should just go . . ." She says, turning back towards the door.
He put an arm on her shoulder to stop her.
"If you want to leave, fine. But if you want to stay, that's fine. Whatever you want Elizabeth."
The tears came down and she didn't try to stop them. Not in front of him. Never in front of him.
She walked away, but not towards the door.
"I don't know what I want, Jason. . ."
She turned towards him; her eyes filled with unshed tears. "That's a lie. I want you, Jason . . . I want you."
'Oh my God! No! You should have walked away! You can still do it! You've ruined everything. No! Tell him. He will know how to make everything right. Just tell him the truth.'
He stood stolid, afraid to take her in his arms.
"Everything was fine, Jason, until you came back. You have this way of complicating my life. I'm married to Lucky! God, I'm MRS. LUCKY SPENCER! I took vows, I made promises, I'm wearing his DAMN ring. But all the while I still want you Jason. . ."
She walked closer to him.
"After all this time, I still want you." She said, calm, barely above a whisper.
'Why isn't he saying anything? Why is he just standing there? Does he still love me or am I just imagining this? Is this all a dream? Will I wake up in Lucky's arms and he will be gone?'
"I do not want to make your life complicated. That is the last thing I want. Tell me what you want." He said, his voice calm.
"I want my life back, my dreams back . . . I want to look in the mirror and recognize the person staring back . . . I want to stop pretending to be someone that I'm not. I have hidden myself behind Lucky because he is safe. All I know is him and the person I am when I'm with him. I do not want to be that person. I hate that person."
He took her in his arms.
"This feels right, Jason. I feel free."
Their eyes met.
Jason saw her light.
"I don't want to be safe, Jason."
Their lips met. The kiss was soft and delicate.
'I'm free.'
'Damn! How am I going to get inside? What if he catches me? What do I say? Should I tell him Jason is back? I can't, he will feel threatened. He will do something stupid. God, what am I going to do?'
She arrived on her doorstep and was thankful that she had left it unlocked.
She took off her shoes and cleverly avoided every floorboard that creaked. When she got into the bedroom she slowly made her way across the floor but tripped over Lucky's slippers. She fell hard on her side, her face hitting the corner of the bed frame hard, and her leg hitting her dresser.
'OUCH! Ouch! Please, don't wake up Lucky. Please! Ouch.'
She heard Lucky move on the bed.
'Is he awake? Please, God, don't let him be awake. Please.'
But she heard his heavy breathing and knew he was asleep.
'Thank God.'
She crawled over, in excruciating pain, to the bed. She slowly climbed up and found the covers. She pulled them up over her head and laid awake for a long time, afraid Lucky was going to wake up. But he did not. Eventually she calmed down and finally drifted off into sleep . . .
**************************************************************************** ************* **************************************************************************** *************
It was winter. The snow had been light but enough to coat the ground. She walked through the cold, thick, snow until she could see it in the clearing. She walked faster, anticipation getting the better of her. She knew he wasn't there, that he had perished in the fire, but every time she came she imagined he would be there.
But that day she found someone else. A man she barely knew lying in the snow bleeding.
She flashed back to herself lying in the snow bleeding. She remembered how Lucky had saved her. She knew then that her destiny was to save this man. But what she never bargained for was him saving her.
And he had so many times that she had lost count.
**************************************************************************** ***** **************************************************************************** *****
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
She slammed her hand down on the alarm. Her head was still covered with the blanket.
'Another day.'
She felt around for Lucky but realized he must already be up. She lifted the blanket off and went into the bathroom that was connected to her bedroom. She had a slight limp when she walked and her face felt like she had ran head-first into a brick wall.
'I hope it didn't leave a mark. . .'
She closed the door and turned on the bathroom light. When she looked in the mirror she noticed the horrible purplish-brown bruise on her face.
'Oh no! How do I explain this? I was mugged in the night when I snuck out? Ugh! What am I going to tell Lucky? How do I explain this? Wait, make-up! Where is it?'
She started frantically searching the bathroom for her make-up bag. She found it a few seconds later. She dug through it and quickly found her liquid concealer.
'Okay, just cover it up. He won't notice anything!'
She put on a few layers until the color was almost the correct shade.
'I'll have to ask Gia later how the make-up artists at Deception covered up the bruise she had when got when she was mugged.'
She got ready for work and opted to skip breakfast. She could not face Lucky. She knew that her eyes would betray her if she didn't betray herself to him.
When she was opening the door he came up behind her and made her jump. "Lucky!" She screamed, turning towards him.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I just wanted to kiss my wife goodbye."
'Ugh.'
She plastered on her fake smile, not remembering the last time she had actually smiled, and quickly kissed him.
'On Jason's motorcycle.'
"Lunch today?" He asked, after their lip-lock.
"Oh, Lucky! I forgot, I promised Nikolas and Gia I would have lunch with them."
He looked at her like he noticed the slight discoloring on her cheek but said nothing.
"We could all have lunch together."
"Not if the three of us are discussing gifts for someone's birthday!" She said, pretending to sound enthused.
He smiled.
"But baby, I thought we agreed on today. And when did you decide this? Nikolas and Gia did not say anything last night."
'The show had been only last night? Last night felt like ages ago.'
"Last night when Nikolas and I talked before I left."
"Oh. Okay. But promise that tomorrow we can have lunch."
"I promise."
'Maybe I can figure a way to get out of that before tomorrow.'
Lucky was going to kiss her again but she separated herself from him with the door. As soon as she got outside she pulled out her cell and dialed.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Hello?"
"Gia, it's Elizabeth."
"Hey, girl. What's up? Get home last night?"
"Yeah, I got home fine. But I had a little problem and I need your help."
"What?"
"Remember when you got mugged and had that horrible bruise and the make-up girls at Deception covered it for your shoot?"
"Yeah, why?"
"How'd they do that?"
"Why?" Gia asked, concerned for her friend. She knew her marriage to Lucky was on the rocks.
'This is embarrassing.'
"I tripped in my bedroom last night because I could not turn on the light and my head hit hard against the bed frame. I have this horrible bruise."
"Oh, um . . . I'm dropping Nikolas at L&B so I could swing in and help you."
'Nikolas cannot find out because he will overreact when he finds out I was out with Jason.'
"Is it possible we could meet somewhere or do something else? I'd rather not have Nikolas know."
Gia knew that Elizabeth was not the clumsy. With her excuse and not wanting to tell Nikolas . . . she definitely thought something was 'wrong'.
"I won't have time without Nik finding out. Just go to L&B and hide in Chloe's office or something. She is usually late and I'll just slip in and fix you up before anyone sees you."
"Okay, thanks. You're a life saver, Gia."
"Yeah . . .'bye."
"Bye."
* * *
When Elizabeth got to L&B, Nikolas and Gia were already there. When she walked in she noticed two sets of eyes on her. She shot a glance at Gia. Nikolas took a long hard look at her.
'No! What is he doing here? I told her not to tell him.'
"What's going on, you guys?" She asked, her voice remaining calm.
"Why don't you tell us?" Nikolas asked.
'What the hell?'
"Nothing . . . nothing is going on."
"What's with all the concealer and asking me to cover up the bruise?" Gia piped in.
'I told her.'
"I already told you, it was an accident."
"Then why not tell me?" Nikolas asked.
'What did they think it was from . . . ?'
"Because you worry too much. I didn't want you to worry for no reason. It was an accident."
"Is that what Lucky told you?" Gia asked.
'Lucky? What does he have to do . . . They think Lucky hit me? Oh my God! Lucky would never hit me. Never. Why would they ever think that?'
"Lucky did not hit me. I told you what happened. It was just an accident. Lucky would NEVER hit me."
"In the past we've seen Lucky do things that were out of character . . ." Nikolas added, hinting at his brainwashing.
'That was when he was brainwashed. He's all better. He would never do that. Why would they ever consider it?'
"You guys, are you even listening to yourselves? This is Lucky, MY HUSBAND, you are talking about. He would never do that, EVER."
Before anyone could respond, the door almost hit Elizabeth and she quickly moved out of the way. Her limp became obvious.
Nikolas and Gia stared at eachother.
Ned entered.
"Hey, Nik, Gia, Liz, I'm sorry about the door. . ." He started but then saw the bruise that Elizabeth was trying to hide, "What happened?"
'Why did he have to ask?'
"I tripped." She said, a little upset.
He looked at her and shot a glance at Nikolas and Gia.
"Tell Chloe I felt sick." She said before storming out. She could not believe what they thought.
'Things aren't exactly the best in our marriage but Lucky would never hit me. He would never do anything like that. He saved me. He loves me. Never ever would he raise his hand at any woman, especially me.'
When she got out of the building she hailed a cab.
"Where ya heading, miss?" The driver asked.
'I cannot go to Lucky, not with this. Gia and Nikolas do not believe me. Emily is with Zander, most likely, God-knows where. . .'
"Elm Street Pier." She said, hesitating slightly.
'Again I'm running towards him. Just last night I told myself I couldn't- wouldn't-run to him. But the first problem that arises and here I am taking a cab to my studio. God, Elizabeth, you have to learn not to run to him! You need to learn to handle things on your own.'
She was about to ask the cab driver to stop but they were seconds from the pier, and her studio.
'No use now. I might as well visit since I am here.' * * * Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Deception Cosmetics. Elton speaking, how may I direct your call?"
"Elton, this is Chloe Morgan."
"Ah, Ms. Morgan. How may I help you?"
"Is Lucky Spencer there yet?"
"Yes, let me just connect you to him. Hold one second."
"Sure."
Click. Click.
"Lucky Spencer."
"Hello, Lucky. This is Chloe."
"Chloe? Hi. Can I help you?"
"Yes, I hope. I was wondering if you had seen or heard from Elizabeth?"
"Elizabeth? She's not there?"
"No. Ned told me that when he came in her, Nikolas, and Gia were having an altercation. She stormed off and I have not heard from her. I was hoping you had."
"No, I haven't. I'll be sure to tell you if I do."
"Okay. Thank you."
Click.
* * * She knocked softly on her own studio door.
'Please let him not hear me. Please just have him be asleep. That way I won't have to see him. I cannot see him. What am I even doing here? Why did I come here of all places? Why can't I tell my husband? Why do I always run to . . .'
Jason opens the door. His eyes immediately go to the mark on her face.
A single tear starts to roll down her cheek.
"Jason." She says, softly, barely above a whisper.
'Don't let him fix you. You need to learn to fix yourself! Walk away, Elizabeth!'
He pulls her into his arms.
'Why do his arms have to feel like this? Why does he make me feel like this? Why doesn't Lucky make me feel like this?'
"It's not what you think, Jason." She said, her words muffled.
"Tell me."
He let her step out of his embrace. He shut the door as she walked over to the couch.
'Leave. Walk away. This was a bad idea'
"I shouldn't be here. I should just go . . ." She says, turning back towards the door.
He put an arm on her shoulder to stop her.
"If you want to leave, fine. But if you want to stay, that's fine. Whatever you want Elizabeth."
The tears came down and she didn't try to stop them. Not in front of him. Never in front of him.
She walked away, but not towards the door.
"I don't know what I want, Jason. . ."
She turned towards him; her eyes filled with unshed tears. "That's a lie. I want you, Jason . . . I want you."
'Oh my God! No! You should have walked away! You can still do it! You've ruined everything. No! Tell him. He will know how to make everything right. Just tell him the truth.'
He stood stolid, afraid to take her in his arms.
"Everything was fine, Jason, until you came back. You have this way of complicating my life. I'm married to Lucky! God, I'm MRS. LUCKY SPENCER! I took vows, I made promises, I'm wearing his DAMN ring. But all the while I still want you Jason. . ."
She walked closer to him.
"After all this time, I still want you." She said, calm, barely above a whisper.
'Why isn't he saying anything? Why is he just standing there? Does he still love me or am I just imagining this? Is this all a dream? Will I wake up in Lucky's arms and he will be gone?'
"I do not want to make your life complicated. That is the last thing I want. Tell me what you want." He said, his voice calm.
"I want my life back, my dreams back . . . I want to look in the mirror and recognize the person staring back . . . I want to stop pretending to be someone that I'm not. I have hidden myself behind Lucky because he is safe. All I know is him and the person I am when I'm with him. I do not want to be that person. I hate that person."
He took her in his arms.
"This feels right, Jason. I feel free."
Their eyes met.
Jason saw her light.
"I don't want to be safe, Jason."
Their lips met. The kiss was soft and delicate.
'I'm free.'