Reflection

Chapter Fourteen ~ Carly's Scheme

Kelly's was as busy as ever the next morning, people coming in and rushing out in flocks. Bobbie was at General Hospital again, so it was just Courtney and Elizabeth, who did everything possible to avoid each other. It was in the middle of a particularly large influx of customers that the telephone rang.

Courtney hauled it from under the counter and pressed the receiver to her ear. "Kelly's Restaurant. How may we help you?" she chimed, surveying the crowd and hoping if this was an order, it would be a quickly delivered one.

"Hi, I'm looking for a Courtney Matthews...?" the female voice trailed off.

"This is she." Courtney frowned. Who could this possibly be?

"Oh, hi, Courtney. I didn't recognize your voice. Not that that's really a big surprise." The woman laughed.

Courtney's frown deepened. "I don't mean to be rude, but who is this?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's Carly, Sonny's wife."

Courtney let herself relax, even to smile. "Hey, Carly. I didn't recognize your voice either. How are you?"

"I'm good," Carly replied, and then, more hesitantly, "How about you?"

Admitting the truth to a virtual stranger when she could hardly admit it to herself wasn't an option. So she gave the routine, polite response. "I'm fine." There was only one reason Courtney could imagine why Carly would call her. Obviously, Sonny had told Carly about what happened the day before, and she was trying to do what she could to fix it. Jason had said she liked to run people's lives. But Courtney wanted to cut this off before it started. "Look, Carly, if this is about yesterday, I'm sorry I ran out on Sonny like that."

"Don't worry about it. Sonny understands. It's a lot to take in. And, besides, that's not why I'm calling."

Courtney's eyebrows shot up. "Oh?"

"Yeah. I was wondering..." she hesitated, like before, as if she was considering if she should even ask. "...if you had any plans tonight?"

"Not really. Not yet anyway."

"Good. Then maybe you could come over for dinner, around seven?" Carly sounded so enthusiastic, so sure she would say yes.

Dinner? With the family she had just met? "I don't know, Carly..."

"Sonny and I, we really want to get to know you. No pressure. It's just dinner." Carly left the invitation hanging, waiting for an answer.

Courtney took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll come." She hoped she knew what she was getting into. Then she took out her waitress notebook and scribbled down the directions Carly gave her.

~*~

Across the city, a grinning Carly put the phone back on the cradle. Phase one of her plan was enacted. Now on to phase two. She breezed across the hall. Not bothering to knock until the door was halfway open, she let herself into Jason's penthouse. He was shooting a game of pool, and didn't seem at all pleased with her intrusion.

"Carly," he huffed, knowing all too well that it was a lost cause. "Don't you know how to knock?"

"Gee, I'm sorry. I didn't know it was necessary to announce that you were coming over to see your best friend." Carly pretended to be disgusted, or maybe she really was. Maybe it did seem irrational her that he should desire any sort of privacy. "Besides, I don't see any company over here. Do you?" Carly spread her arms, indicating the vast emptiness that was the penthouse. The only furniture was his desk, a couch, and the pool table.

Jason lay down his pool cue and crossed his arms over his chest. "What do you want?"

"Who said I wanted anything? Maybe I'm just here to visit."

There was no way that was the case. Her eyes had that mischievous sparkle again. "You always want something, Carly."

"That is so not true." The mock offended thing again. Then Carly flashed him that irresistable grin. "But in this case, you're right."

Jason rolled his eyes to the side. Go figure.

"I was wondering if you could come over for dinner tonight." Seeing his posture and facial expression, and knowing him so well, Carly immediately launched into a begging fest. "Oh, come on, Jason! I thought it'd be great, for us to get together and talk and be a family."

"Yeah, but--"

"I was so worried about you, Jason. The whole while Sonny was faking his death I was so afraid something was going to happen to you and I was going to lose you. And now that it's over, I still barely get to see you, Jason."

Jason looked at her. This wasn't theatrics. Yeah, sure, Carly had another agenda, she always did, but she meant what she was saying. He couldn't refuse her.

"Okay, Carly. I'll come."

~*~

The day passed quickly. Almost too quickly for Courtney, who wasn't exactly looking forward to dinner at her brother's. She kept trying to come up with polite ways to get out of going, but there really were none. Besides, she'd chickened out enough already. This was just going to be a nice family dinner. No pressure, no expectations. Right?

These thoughts were once again on the merry-go-round inside Courtney's head as she road the elevator up to the floor Carly and Sonny lived on. You can do this, Courtney, she told herself, and stepped into the hallway.

She was greeted by a man standing outside what she assumed what was her brother's door. She assumed it was a bodyguard. PH2, at the other end of the hall, was unguarded. She wondered who lived there.

"Ms. Matthews?" the guard said.

It was unnerving. "How do you know my name?"

"Mrs. Corinthos is expecting you." He knocked on the door and then pushed it open, gesturing for her to enter.

"Okay, well, um, thanks," she said, wishing he wore a nametag. She couldn't just call him Mr. Bodyguard or Doorman.

She stepped into the penthouse, and had to resist the urge to whistle. The entire apartment she and her mom had lived in could fit into the living room alone. The decor was mostly dark...black, gray, mahogany, but a bit of ivory paint lightened it up. It really was a beautiful place, with a terrace overlooking the waterfront, and all that space. Courtney felt very small, and very out of place. Could she ever feel comfortable in a

Carly emerged from the right, stepping out of a hallway that Courtney assumed lead to the kitchen. "Thanks, Johnny," she called as the guard closed the door. That answered Courtney's question about the name. "Hey, Courtney! I'm so glad you could make it." Carly pulled her into a totally unexpected hug, but Courtney didn't mind. Warmth emanated from this woman with such intensity, it was impossible not to smile.

"Hey, Carly." Courtney hugged her back, and when they both pulled away, she glanced around her again. One very important thing was missing from her brother's penthouse--and that was her brother. "Where's Sonny?"

"Oh, he's out on business. He'll be back any time now."

Carly waved her hand as if it were nothing. Courtney wondered what kind of business it was. Was it illegal? Did it have something to do with the mob? Was he in danger, like he must have been before he faked his death? Was Jason with him? What about Jason? Was he in danger?

Courtney violently shoved the thought from her mind. What was wrong with her? Why was she worrying about Jason? She gave herself a mental shake.

"Pull up a seat! Get comfortable! Stay awhile!" Carly encouraged, motioning towards the couch.

Laughing, Courtney went along with it, sinking into the cushions. Before Carly could join her, there was another knock on the door, and another guest was admitted.

"Jason! You're here!" Carly sounded absolutely thrilled. She threw her arms around his neck, and then stepped back.

Courtney's her eyes locked with Jason's.

"Courtney," he said. Just hearing him say her name sent shivers up her spine.

"I didn't know you were going to be here," Courtney responded shyly, a hint of a smile playing across her mouth. She couldn't say she was unhappy about his presence. But she could say the exact opposite.

Carly's beam could have split her face in two. There was no mistaking the sparks flying between these two. This was the perfect plan.

~*~