Chapter 20

Her face hurt. She didn't think she could smile for one more second. Flash bulbs seemed to go off every five minutes blinding so much that she found it hard to focus on the people around her. Not that she wanted to. Journalists and photographs eager to find out everything there was to know about the future Face of Deception surrounded her. She had arrived to the launch of the new Deception line over an hour ago, and they had yet to leave her alone. They didn't seem to think any question was off limits. They asked about her dysfunctional relationship with her family. They wanted to know about her feeling about the police not being able to convict her rapist. How did they even know about that?

Then there were the boyfriend questions. One journalist even hinted that the competition was rigged since her boyfriend's mother co-owned Deception. He didn't know or cared that Gia was Laura's other son's girlfriend as well. And then there was Jason. Somehow they knew about her previous relationship with Jason and wanted to know about her connection with organized crime. One brought up the recent bombing and Jason's involvement with the death of Joseph Sorel. Another suggested that she worked secretly for Sonny since she had provided Jason with an alibi, or if not, maybe she was having an affair with him. That comment elicited a weak laugh from her.

She strained to look over their shoulders to find Lucky. Where was he? She didn't think she could take anymore. She needed to get away from all the questions and cameras. She wished the vultures would just leave her alone. The only thing keeping her from bolting out the door was the knowledge that it was almost over. Soon Laura would be announcing Gia as the new Face of Deception and she could go back to her quiet life with Lucky and her painting. She knew it with every fibre of her being. Elizabeth had seen Gia's pictures earlier in the week in Lucky's darkroom at Deception. They were amazing. Laura had agreed when she had seen her the next day. She had finally gathered up enough courage to see her and tell her she didn't want to be a model. Laura had tried to argue but she didn't really put her full self into it. When she saw that Elizabeth was serious, she had been relieved. It seemed the decision had already been made, but Laura hadn't know how to tell her. Laura was also worried about Lucky. Elizabeth told her she would deal with Lucky when the time was right.

She looked over and saw Gia standing across the room with her own share of photographers and journalists. But unlike her, Gia was soaking up the attention. She looked like she belonged in the limelight, while Elizabeth cringed when a flash bulb went off. Gia was cut out for the job and everyone knew it but Lucky. Elizabeth knew he would be disappointed when Laura picked Gia but was ready to consol him about fulfilling their dreams together but separate. She thought back to their original dream. She was going to paint and he was going to play the guitar. That dream could still happen. The only change would be Lucky being a photograph rather than a guitarist. She had to make him see that.

Another flash bulb brought her back to the present. She gave another winning smile and took another question. She would get through this, she thought. She didn't know her unlikely rescuer was about to appear.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," Sonny Corinthos made his way through the crowd. The only visible sign that he came close to dying was a black sling holding up his left arm. Other than that he looked fit and healthy in the tuxedo. "Let's give the girl a few minutes, okay. This is a party and she hasn't been able to relax and enjoy it since she arrived."

"Mr. Corinthos, is it true that Joseph Sorel was involved in the bombing of your warehouse that almost killed you and that you retaliated by ordering your enforcer Jason Morgan to kill him?" One ambitious journalist asked. He couldn't let a golden opportunity pass him by.

Sonny didn't even blink. "This night isn't about me. I am here to support my lovely wife Carly and her business partner Laura Spencer in their new endeavour. I know Carly would be glad to answer any questions you might have about the re-launching of Deception. Now give Miss Webber some space."

When the journalist saw that Sonny wasn't going waver from his silence regarding the bombing, they silently moved their attention to the other important people at the party. With each departing journalist, the tension around Elizabeth's head lessened until she was able to breathe a sigh of relief when the last photograph turned his camera at an some up and coming singer nearby. She looked to Sonny grateful for his help, yet a little apprehensive. She wasn't sure what Sonny knew about her dealings with Jason.

"Thank you, Sonny," she said. "I didn't know if I could answer one more question. How do you handle the press?"

He shrugged, "They don't have any power over me, so I don't worry about them."

"Aren't you afraid one of them might dig up something about you that they shouldn't?"

He grinned, "There's nothing to find, Elizabeth. My life is an open book."

She smiled. She more than anyone knew that wasn't the case. She felt special that Sonny and Jason trusted her to let her into that part of their lives even if it was only a small part. "How are you?"

"I'm good," he replied. "Carly's been taking good care of me all week. Except when she was planning this party, she hasn't really left my side. And she won't let me go back to work."

Elizabeth had to laugh at that. She couldn't imagine Sonny letting Carly tell him what to do. "I can understand her being a little possessive. She almost lost you."

Sonny quietly studied her. "Yeah, but now Jason has to do all the work to get the warehouse up and running again."

She couldn't look Sonny in the eye. She brought a hand up and fiddled with her hair. She wondered if he would mention Jason. The pier was the last time she had seen him and that was a week ago. He stopped coming into Kelly's for coffee. Emily had confided that she thought he had left town. It had felt like someone had ripped Elizabeth's heart out. She couldn't believe he would leave again without telling her goodbye. "Emily was worried that he was away on business. She hasn't seen him lately."

"No, no, he's still at Jake's. He just hasn't had a lot of time to stop in at Kelly's," he gave her a pointed look.

He knows, she thought. Jason must have needed someone to talk to. She shifted uncomfortably knowing that Sonny would side with his best friend. "How is he?"

Sonny continued his study of her, "Do you really want to know?" At her slow nod, he replied, "He's burying himself in his work trying to ignore the pain he's feeling."

She could feel the tears forming in her eyes. "I never meant to hurt him," she said quietly.

"I know, but you did. I can see that you're hurting too," he stated.

"It has to be this way," she couldn't go over this again. Her emotions couldn't take it.

"Why?"

"I need to make Lucky happy, and Lucky is jealous of Jason."

Sonny needed to know, "Does he have reason to be?"

"No," she replied a little too quickly. "I love Lucky."

"I know you do. The question is what do you feel for Jason?"

She was quiet for long time. "I love Jason, but as a friend. That's all."

Sonny gave her a knowing look. "Are you sure?"

Before she could answer, Carly came up and hugged Sonny. "It's almost time and I want you to be beside me when we make the announcement," she said barely acknowledging Elizabeth's presence. She took Sonny's good hand in hers and turned to walk to the stage. When Elizabeth thought Carly would completely ignore her, she turned and gave her quick look. Elizabeth was shocked to see so much hatred in Carly's eyes. She knew Carly didn't like her, but she didn't think Carly hated her.

Before she could give it any thought, Lucky cam from behind and circled her waist with his arms. "It's time. Soon the world will know how beautiful you are."

She gave a weak smile and leaned into his body. Lucky would be so disappointed, but she knew he would get over it. Gia was the right person to be the Face of Deception and he would see that in time.

Carly looked down to the woman that had hurt her friend. She wanted Elizabeth to suffer. All evening she and her assistant had been supplying the journalists with everything she knew about Elizabeth. Bobbie had been willing to tell her all about little Elizabeth Webber - how she ran away from home at 14, her rape when she was 15, everything. As the journalists bombarded Elizabeth with questions, Carly had quietly stood nearby relishing every wince and cringe Elizabeth had felt. After a while Carly thought maybe she had had enough, but then Sonny had intervened. Carly's anger grew as she saw Elizabeth trying to work Sonny as well. Carly knew Elizabeth hadn't suffered enough.

Carly stood in front of the podium and brought everyone to attention. This was it, she thought, the beginning of her new venture. She wanted to be happy, but she couldn't. All she could see was Jason and how much Elizabeth had hurt him. A wicked idea came to her. In minutes she would be announcing Gia Campbell's name as the new Face of Deception. A week ago, she had thought that that was going to be her way of hurting Elizabeth. But then Laura informed her that Elizabeth didn't want the job. Laura told her Elizabeth associated it with her rapist and couldn't go through it anymore. Now Carly knew it was the perfect way of paying her back for the pain she caused.

She waited for the noise to quiet down before she began. "Ladies and gentlemen, my partner Laura Spencer and I would like to thank you for coming to the re-launching of Deception cosmetics. We are very pleased you would take time out of your busy schedules to help us introduced the new Face of Deception." The audience cheered. She smile, "Well, I have to say it was a difficult decision. Laura and I argued many long hours over who," she pointed to Gia, "the exotic beauty or," then to Elizabeth, "the classic beauty would get the job."

"I am here now to tell you that a decision couldn't be made." Carly smiled at the shocked expression on Elizabeth's face. She ignored Laura's attempt to get her attention and continued, "Instead we will leave it up to the public. That's right. We will produce ads with both girls and have the public decide who they like best. The campaign will be "Who is the true Face of Deception?'" Carly scanned the crowd as they applauded the new campaign. The only person not clapping was Elizabeth. She seemed to be frozen where she stood. Carly smiled with glee. Oh, yeah, she thought, just wait little girl. You won't know what hit you.