Young and Restless – Chp. 1
"Well, I think that's everything you need to know," Sharon said, as she stood next to her new employee at Crimson Lights.
"Sharon, I really appreciate this," Rachel said.
"I'm happy to have you," Sharon said, "I needed a barista and you needed a job, plus you have experience, so we both benefit from you working here."
"Not many people would be so kind," Rachel said, "Fresh out of a 2 year stay at Fairview. After what I've done, most people would have given me a job in a back office somewhere, where I wouldn't be seen."
"You should give yourself more credit," Sharon said, "You've worked hard to overcome your difficulties. Which you have been successful at."
"Thank you," Rachel said, "It's nice to know at least someone is in my corner."
Spotting someone entering the patio area, Sharon said, "I believe you have your first customer…" she trailed off.
"What?" Rachel said, turning to follow Sharon's gaze, "Oh," she said, as she watched Billy sit at a table.
"You know, I can take care of this," Sharon said.
"No," Rachel said, "I can do it. I'm going to run in to him sooner or later. Might as well get it over with."
"Are you sure?" Sharon said.
"You have my word that I will not attack him," Rachel said, before she walked towards Billy.
Billy was immersed in his phone screen, when Rachel said, "Can I help you?"
"No," Billy said, not looking up, "Maybe later." Glancing up at her he said, "Thanks…" Billy did a double take, as he recognized her.
"Hi," Rachel said, as Billy stared at her.
Billy looked away, put his phone down on the table before focusing back on her. "What are you doing here?" His tone was not friendly.
"I uh…" Rachel started, "I was released and one of the conditions was that I have a job, so Sharon offered me one and I work here again." She was fighting to calm her nerves.
"You're out," Billy said.
"Yes," Rachel said.
"How the hell did that happen?" Billy said.
"I'm better," Rachel said, "I know what I did and I know it was wrong. I lost control and….now I have a better handle on my emotions. You're obviously still angry with me."
"Surprised," Billy said, slightly softening his tone, "I thought you were in for the long haul."
"It's been a long haul believe me," Rachel said.
"Well, that's good for you," Billy sighed.
"Listen, Billy since you're here I wanted to say I'm sorry for what happened," Rachel said.
"I'm sure you are," Billy plainly said.
"I want to apologize," Rachel said.
"You want to apologize?" Billy fumed, as he stood up, "For what? For almost killing Victoria, for attacking me, for spoiling our wedding day? Or how about for the months of nightmares Victoria had and the long, long time it took her to get over it."
"I'm sorry, I really am," Rachel stammered, "It wasn't me, I didn't mean to do any of it."
"You know, it's nice that you're out and your better and you have this job," Billy snarled, "But you and I have nothing further to say to each other. We're done." He waived his hand at her.
"Billy, I just…" Rachel started.
"We're done," Billy repeated, raising his voice, before angrily grabbing his phone and storming out of the coffeehouse.
"Billy hates me," Rachel said, as she sat across a table from Sharon.
"He doesn't hate you," Sharon reassured.
"Yes, he does," Rachel said, "Not that I can blame him. The way he looked at me with such distaste and the anger in his voice. He's never treated me that way before."
"You caught him off guard," Sharon said, "He didn't expect to see you. Give him some time and he won't be so hostile towards you."
"I can't do this," Rachel said, "Maybe this whole situation, my working here is a big mistake."
"Don't do that," Sharon said, "It's true that this is hard, but you are stronger now."
"I probably just cost you a customer," Rachel said.
"I think you should go and splash some cold water on your face and then concentrate on the rest of your day here," Sharon said.
"Okay," Rachel said.
"Don't think about what happened this morning," Sharon said, "Remember, this is not about Billy. It's about you putting your life back together. If things get tough, you can always talk to me about it."
"Thanks Sharon," Rachel said, "I appreciate your understanding."
"If you would just listen to me," Summer said, as she followed Kyle into the coffeehouse.
Turning to face her Kyle said, "How many times do I have to say it? I am not interested in conversation with you."
"You don't mean that," Summer said.
"Yes, I do," Kyle affirmed, "You need to turn around and stop following me."
Kyle took a few steps as he turned back around, walking into Rachel, who immediately covered him in the drink she was carrying.
Kyle spread his arms apart and surveyed his wet clothes as Rachel grabbed a dish towel. "I am so sorry," she said, patting the front of his shirt with the towel.
"Why don't you watch where you're going?" Summer snapped to Rachel.
Taking the towel from Rachel, Kyle continued to wipe himself off saying, "It was an accident Summer. They happen."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Rachel said.
"Of course you didn't," Kyle said"", "At least it wasn't hot coffee." He smiled to let her know there were no hard feelings. "Besides, it was my fault," he continued, "I was distracted." He shot a glare at Summer.
"You made it through your first day," Sharon said, triumphantly.
"Yes, and I further alienated a former friend and spilled soda all over someone," Rachel said, "A rousing success."
"Kyle didn't seem to be upset about the drink incident," Sharon said.
"You seem to know him, is he a regular?" Rachel said, "Did I cost you another customer?"
"No, I'm sure you didn't," Sharon said, "Besides, you know Kyle. He's Jack's son."
"That was Kyle Abbott?" Rachel said, "Wow, he grew up handsome."
Sharon nodded in agreement.
"And that girl he was with," Rachel said, "He called her Summer. Was that Phyllis's daughter?"
"That's her," Sharon said, "They grow up fast."
"Yeah," Rachel said, losing her smile, "They do."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Sharon said, "I shouldn't have mentioned it that way."
"It's okay, it's not like I don't think about my daughter every day," Rachel said, "I haven't seen her in years. Do you know Susie is 12 years old now. Kevin would never bring her to visit me at Fairview. Now he's moved hundreds of miles away with her. I can't understand why he would move away with two young girls to look after as a single father."
"He must have had his reasons," Sharon said, "Besides when he sees how much better you are, maybe you can see her soon."
"I was declared an unfit mother," Rachel said, "Do you know what that feels like?"
"Yes, I do," Sharon said, "Thankfully, it worked out for me and it will for you too."
"That's wishful thinking," Rachel said.
Shifting papers at her desk and giving a series of frustrated sighs, Victoria was hard at work. Slamming a folder onto her desk, she was startled by a voice that said, "Whoa, what did that folder ever do to you?"
"I'm sure, I know why you're here," Victoria said.
"You do?" Billy said.
"Have you heard?" Victoria said, "Rachel Brantford has been released."
"Yeah, I know," Billy said, "How did you find out?"
"The same as you must have," Victoria said, "As her former victim I was officially notified. I can't believe they let her out. It gives me the creeps to know that lunatic is loose on the streets. Which is why I have reinstated the restraining order against her. If you're smart you'll get one too."
"Maybe," Billy said, "I'm not too concerned about it."
"Billy she tried to kill us," Victoria said, "How can you be so cavalier?"
"Because I saw her today," Billy said, "And I put her on notice."
"You saw her?" Victoria said, "Why did you even give her the time of day?"
"Apparently she works at Crimson Lights again," Billy said, "She needed a job as a condition of her release and Sharon thought this was a good idea."
"So, how did she seem?" Victoria said.
"Okay, I guess," Billy said, "She gave me a big performance about how sorry she was."
"I'm sure," Victoria said.
"I actually felt a little sorry for her," Billy said.
"Oh no you don't," Victoria said, "Don't sympathize with her. Everyone thought she was fine before she attacked us."
"I'm not saying I'm going to forgive her and want to be friends again," Billy said, "I made it clear that I wanted nothing to do with her."
Kyle entered the Abbott house, kicking the door shut behind him. Crossing into the living room he stopped as he saw Rachel coming down the stairs.
"Oh, hi," Rachel said.
"Hi," Kyle said, warily eyeing her. He paused before he said, "Are you stalking me?"
Rachel laughed and said, "No, I'm Rachel…"
Kyle cut her off saying, "Oh, you're the friend of the family whose staying with us for awhile."
"That's me," Rachel said.
Reaching out his hand Kyle said, "I'm Kyle."
Accepting his handshake Rachel said, "It's nice to meet you."
Noticing Rachel was watching him, Kyle said, "What? You're not planning to throw another drink at me are you?"
"That was an accident," Rachel said, "I was just remembering the last time I saw you, you were this high." She held her hand to knee level.
"That was a long time ago," Kyle said, "I'm afraid I don't remember."
"I wouldn't expect you to," Rachel said, "And as for what happened earlier, why don't we just forget our first meeting."
"What first meeting?" Kyle smiled.
"Thank you," Rachel said.
"So how long are you planning to stay?" Kyle said.
"I'm not sure," Rachel said, "I have some things to sort out first. I've had a rough go of it lately."
"It happens to all of us," Kyle said.
"Mine was a bit worse than most people's," Rachel said.
"Maybe it just seems that way," Kyle said.
"I tried to hurt some people and I've spent the last two years in a psychiatric hospital," Rachel said.
Kyle stared for a few seconds, before sitting on the couch.
"I can see you're at a loss for words," Rachel said, taking a chair across from him, "You don't have to worry. I am much better now."
"It's not what I expected you to say," Kyle said.
"You can steer clear of me like everyone else," Rachel said.
"Why would I do that?" Kyle said, "If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have suspected about your past. If staying here helps you can stay as long as you need."
"You're being very nice to me," Rachel said.
"We are all going to be living in the same house," Kyle started, "No reason not to be friends."
"Sounds good to me," Rachel said, standing up, "Anyway, I was just about to head to the kitchen for something to eat. It was good talking to you."
She turned to walk away but Kyle stood up and called her back. "Rachel?" She looked back as Kyle continued, "Why don't you and I go out to get a bite to eat?"
"Kyle, that's really nice, but you don't have to do that," Rachel said.
"My pleasure," Kyle said, "I don't know about you, but I could really go for some pizza."
"Soulmates," Rachel said.
"Excuse me?" Kyle said.
"I would love some pizza myself," Rachel said, "I haven't had any in years."
"Great," Kyle said, "Lots of anchovies, mushrooms and hot peppers."
Rachel stopped and looked at him.
"Just kidding," Kyle said, with his sly smile.
"Good," Rachel said, "Because you were about to eat that pizza alone."
"Does that mean you want to go?" Kyle said.
"Sure, why not?" Rachel said.
Kyle held the door for her saying, "After you."
Rachel smiled as he shut the door behind them.
"There is no way that really happened," Rachel laughed, as she and Kyle returned home.
"True story, I swear," Kyle smiled.
"If you say so," Rachel said. Sitting on the couch, she said, "That was really good pizza, but I am stuffed."
"Me too," Kyle said, sitting next to her.
"I'm glad we decided to go out," Rachel said, "It was fun."
"Go out," Kyle mused, "Was that a date?"
"Well, that depends," Rachel said.
"On what?" Kyle said.
"On whether or not you want it to be," Rachel said. She looked at Kyle, who was giving her a look that gave her butterflies.
"What do you want it to be?" Kyle said.
"It's been a long time since I've been on a date," Rachel said, "I'd like to call it that."
"Then it was a date," Kyle said.
"You know what one of the best things about it was?" Rachel said.
"Tell me," Kyle said, anticipating her compliment of his company.
"Riding in that car of yours," Rachel said.
"You like my car," Kyle said.
"No," Rachel said, "I love your car. It's sporty and it's red. I'm jealous of your car."
Kyle laughed and said, "Anytime you want to go for another ride in it, just let me know."
Rachel noticed Kyle was watching her and she gave him a few quick glances, before she said, "Is this what happens after a first date. Stalled conversation?"
"I think so," Kyle said. Shifting his position on the couch closer to Rachel, Kyle continued, "There is a cure for that."
"Is that right?" Rachel said.
"Oh…yeah," Kyle assured.
"Does it work?" Rachel said.
"Usually," Kyle slightly smiled, "There's one way to find out."
Rachel took Kyle's cue, as he leaned in closer to her. They were just about to kiss, when the front door opened.
Startled they quickly pulled back from each other and then Rachel heard a familiar voice, "What the hell is she doing here?"