Thanks to my awesome reviewers! How I love you all!
ImJustKidding89- Yes, they're falling fast. I wanted to write a fast paced relationship, instead of having their love develop slowly. Mainly because Courtney is leaving San Juan soon. I want her to have something to Stay for. If you catch my drift. ;)
theblondeone07- Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
Nicole- That's like 20 gold stars for me! You get some Rodrigo in this chapter! It's not a very long one, but it was a plot turner, I guess you could say. Like always, I'm happy to provide the fluff. There is ZERO in this chapter. LOL. And ah yes, the tension between Sonny and Jason. I promise to explore that, very soon. They are in love. Love comes with such complications doesn't it? sigh I love Jason and Courtney. I just LOVE them.
Rebecca- You get the prize! (not sure what the prize is but...) You noticed the Chicken Pot Pie! That was when GH was still good... gosh howI miss good 'ol 02-03. Thanks for the review! Oh, and Alicia. What is there to say really? Alicia is/was/always will be Courtney. I don't think I'll be able to stand a recast... (
emmalee05- Thanks for always being such a fabulous reviewer! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed this chapter!
Bre- I love writing playful AU Journey. I'm glad you enjoy reading it!
Pureevil320- I hope Courtney stays too. LOL. You never know. I haven't decided how I want this to turn out yet, to be honest. But, I hope you stick around for the end!I love your reviews!
"Rodrigo, thank you very much for your time today. Your interview is going to be a great addition to my article." Courtney smiled at the happy little man holding the door to the San Juan Casino open for her.
"De nada senorita. It was my pleasure. I will walk you back to your room."
Courtney began to shake her head but Rodrigo walked swiftly past her towards the golden elevators, leaving her no choice but to follow in his wake. The pair stepped into the staff elevator and rode silently up to the 26th floor.
During the silence, Courtney thought about Jason. Only two days ago, she'd told him that she was falling in love with him, and what surprised her was., she didn't regret it.
Yesterday, they'd gone to the beach. Swimming next to Jason was so wonderful. She was having a difficult time getting his wet, glistening chest and his piercing blue eyes out of her mind.
The ping of the elevator brought Courtney out of her reverie. Rodrigo smiled at her and offered his arm, which Courtney obligingly took.
"It gives me great pleasure to see Senor Morgan so happy. I must thank you for that Senorita." Courtney had been waiting for Rodrigo to bring up their relationship. She took a deep breath and said,
"Jason is a good man, Rodrigo. And I care about him, but regardless, I'm leaving soon." Courtney felt her companion's eyes on her, and she felt herself redden.
"Of course, senorita must go back to her life," Rodrigo began as they came to a stop at Courtney's door. He took her hand and held it in his. "Bt Senor Morgan and I would love it if you stayed."
Courtney smiled weakly and slid her card through the automatic lock, heard the click, and opened the door. Seeing what she saw, she wanted to shut the door again and pray that she was imagining things. But the tight grip on her forearm was telling her that Rodrigo was seeing exactly what she was.
Her room, or what was left of it, was in total disarray. Her belongings were scattered, shattered, and strewn carelessly about the once immaculate room. Courtney's heart was in her throat as she thought about who would do this. Who'd want to hurt her like this? Scare her?
Courtney could only come up with one answer.
Kent.
Despite Rodrigo's protests, Courtney entered her room, stepping over broken glass and other debris.
"Call security please." Courtney's voice was weak, but she refused to let it break. While Rodrigo dialed, Courtney bent down and picked up a wrangled pillow, one of the fancy ones that was formerly on her bed. She was surprised at how quickly she thought of all these possessions as hers. They were not. All she had was clothes. The furniture, the beautiful pillows, everything, was owned by Jason and his people. And yet, it upset her so. She loved this room, coming back to it each night, sinking into the comfort and safety of the bed.
The room had made her want to stay.
Courtney was still holding the pillow when security came in.
"Hola senorita. I am sorry that we have to meet under these circumstances." He stuck out a hand. "I am Javier Ortiz. Head of Security here at San Juan Casino."
"Courtney Matthews." She shook his hand with her unoccupied one.
"If you do not mind, my partner Manny and I will look around." Courtney raised her eyes to meet the man's apologetic ones and nodded.
Before Courtney had time to process anything else, Jason appeared, breathless, in the doorway.
"Senor, you got my message?" Rodrigo asked, putting himself between the two.
"Yeah." Jason said quickly, peering around Rodrigo to look at Courtney. "Are you okay?" He stepped around pillow stuffing, broken glass and shattered wood to get to Courtney.
"I wasn't here when it happened, if that's what you're asking." Courtney twisted the destroyed pillow around in her hands, determined not to cry.
Kent couldn't be here. Could he?
Jason glanced down at the mangled fabric in Courtney's hands and cringed.
The thought rang through his head like a bell. It could have been her.
Before Jason could say or do anything else, Javier and Manny came back, each shook Jason's hand.
"Senorita," Javier addressed Courtney, surprised to see his boss's arm around the woman's shoulder. "When you feel like it, could you take a look around and let me know if you find anything missing?"
Courtney slowly nodded. Words didn't seem quite ready to form yet.
"Most everything has been destroyed, but it does not look like anything has been stolen. Manny went over hotel inventory, and it is all wrecked. Nothing was taken." Javier saw Jason nod, as if he expected that news.
"I want to know how the hell someone got up here, into this room, and trashed it without anyone seeing them! Did I not make myself clear yesterday when I told you and your people that we would be adding extra security up here? Did my request fall on deaf ears?" Jason didn't normally yell, but this time it was different. They'd been together, publicly, for two days. Two friggen days. And already, the room she was in was being trashed.
"I will look into it Senor." Javier promised.
"Good. Go over the cameras, the guest check in list. Ask the doormen if they saw anyone suspicious. I don't care how you get your information, just get it. I want names as quickly as possible." Jason demanded as he showed Javier and Manny to the door, slamming it shut behind them.
Jason shoved his hands through his hair as he turned on Rodrigo.
"You notice anything suspicious today?"
"No, senor. I was out with Senorita all afternoon, being interviewed. No one was following us, I can assure you." Rodrigo slipped towards the door, knowing that Jason would want time alone with Courtney.
Jason nodded. "Thank you."
"I will be supervising Javier. We will catch whoever did this, Senorita. That is a promise." And Rodrigo left.
Jason turned to the ever silent Courtney and wished for a reaction. Her expression was blank, and there was no emotion in her eyes. Except fear. Fear that had her lips trembling and her fingers twisting violently around that mangled pillow.
"Come on. You'll stay with me." Jason took her hand and tried to lead her out, but Courtney wouldn't budge.
"The porcelain doll." Courtney said, her eyes fixed on a white box on top of, what used to be, the television.
"What?" Jason asked.
"The porcelain doll. You told me it reminded you of me. You said it was fragile."
Jason didn't see how any of this was relevant to her room being ransacked, but he answered anyways, just pleased she was finally speaking. "I remember."
"It's the only thing that didn't break." Courtney finally dropped the pillow, and picked up the doll instead. She turned to Jason, tears filling her eyes.
"It's the only thing that didn't break."
Jason tilted Courtney's face so he could look into her eyes.
"I guess it's stronger than I thought."
Jason gathered Courtney close as she finally let the tears fall. He was stroking her hair when he heard her whisper.
"I think I know who did this."
Jason pulled her back, looking into her foggy sapphires. "Who?"
"My ex-husband." Courtney sobbed, clutching the porcelain doll to her chest.