Trying to concentrate on the spreadsheet displayed on the computer screen, his mind wandered once again to the file he had placed in the drawer beside him. Shaking his head and groaning in frustration, Zach swiveled in his black leather chair and pulled out the file once again… he should never have authorized photos, he should have known it was more than he could endure… but could he really have believed if they hadn't been included? Here was positive, tangible proof that Kendall had recovered, that she was whole and was moving forward with her life. There were two photographs, one of Kendall, Bianca and Miranda in the park together and another of Kendall standing near a brick archway looking pensive. That was the one that haunted him… he closed his eyes and found it already seared into his brain… knowing that when he dreamed it would come to life.
As he gazed lovingly at the photo, his fingers lightly traced over her face. He had followed the progress of Kendall's recovery despite his distance, and when he learned she was returning to Pine Valley he had authorized a final surveillance. He told himself that it was merely to make certain that she was fully recovered before he moved forward with the next phase of his plan… but in all honesty it was more to provide himself with closure. One by one the things that had once mattered to him were being relinquished… The Seasons East was well-managed and thriving and Slater-Hart Gaming had lived up to its promise and provided handsomely for them both. His days as caretaker of their joint business interests were drawing to a close, and soon he would be free to pursue his own life unencumbered by the obligations he had acquired during his sojourn in Pennsylvania. He had been relieved that Kendall had chosen to sell her shares in Fusion instead of re-entering a life that had caused her so much heartache in the past and was aware that Bianca and Ethan had traded places within the Cambias organization. His investigators had indicated that Kendall and Bianca had grown even closer during her time at the clinic, as supported by the photographs. According to the report, it seemed that the sisters were planning to move into a home together. Kendall's condominium had been put on the market and the women had been observed looking at houses suitable for a small child. That was good… she had decided to take positive steps toward rebuilding her life in a way that would make her happy… and he was nothing except a distant and not too fond memory of a difficult time in her life.
Obviously she had not remembered. That was also good. He did not wish her any harm, and he did not want her burdened with the knowledge of his love. Even though Bianca must have talked her out of re-filing his divorce petition, that point would not matter much longer. The year since the accident would soon be ended and she would be a completely free woman… their marriage nothing but a regrettable memory. Sighing deeply, he closed the folder and placed it once again in the drawer but did not return to contemplating the numbers on the screen in front of him. Instead he rose and paced over to his office bar and poured a cup of coffee, wincing as he gulped down the too hot brew. He seemed to get burned no matter what he touched.
He removed a file from a cabinet against the wall and returned to his desk. The travel arrangements were made and he would be departing Atlantic City within the week. Living at the casino as he had for over six months meant that it would not take long to pack his belongings. The report on Kendall was the last he would receive. There was no need for further information and additional reports would only serve to painfully remind him of the emptiness in his life. Even though he was convinced that his choices had been right, the pain they inflicted was still significant to such raw wounds as he sported. He was resolved to move forward with his existence and concentrate on the future that he had carefully prepared during Kendall's rehabilitation. Now that she was home, his agents would divest him of his half of Slater-Hart Gaming and free her from their last tie. He would build a new empire from the remains of the old one, perhaps finding new and different adventures along the way... but only hoping to stay one step ahead of his demons.
Zach had been busy during his time away from Pine Valley. He had taken great pains to live a quietly duplicitous life. Maintaining the identity of Zach Slater and running his businesses while also establishing a new identity and starting over as that person had been exhausting, but it was the only way that he knew to protect Kendall and her interests while she had been in Minnesota. He had made promises to her that he would not break, and the strain and difficulty that he experienced in doing it were inconsequential to him. Managing Slater-Hart Gaming and keeping it profitable was important to Kendall's survival… just as planning for his own life separate from the successful casino businesses he had built was vital to his. He had needed something to focus his attention on… something to keep his mind occupied… something to make him so tired that his dreams did not haunt him with memories of what was or what could have been.
He had to admit that he had not missed living in Pine Valley. He once said that the only person he would miss was Bianca, and that had expanded to include Myrtle, Miranda and Kendall… but no one else in that selfish town mattered to him. The petty dramas were behind him and he no longer had to contend with people who believed that he was the devil incarnate just because he had the misfortune of being born with the name of Cambias. His son was well and truly lost to him, but that was no surprise. He was quite certain that Ethan was glad of the distance and would not even notice when Zach Slater ceased to exist… or if he did he would only note it with relief. Yet another regret to add to a long list… nothing he could do or say would make a difference, but he did allow himself one brief moment to wish it could have turned out another way. Time wasted on regrets was lost, though, and it wasn't worth expending even that single moment. Today would be the last time he would allow himself to consider the what-might-have-beens… in a few days he would move forward to embrace his new life. A solitary existence had always served him well… he had only to adjust to it once again. Very soon his new identity would be complete, and he had no intention of returning to the United States for months or even years. He was still not used to his new name, but he had been Zach Slater for a very long time… and next to Kendall, the loss of that name was what he would grieve the most.
Deciding that he was accomplishing nothing in self-reflection, he closed down the computer and straightened the items on his desk. He would spend a few hours in the gaming rooms with his assistant manager and pit boss before placing the calls that would begin one life and end another. Everything was already in place, had been for several weeks… only waiting for Kendall to resume her life and take over the business that they had started together with such enthusiasm. It was hard to believe that it was still less than a year since the day of the accident… so much had happened, so much had changed… and nothing in his life would ever be so wonderful as when he had almost found contentment with his wife.
He looked up as his assistant entered his office with a package and a clipboard in her hands, "I'm sorry, but the courier wouldn't allow me to sign for this. It's marked personal and confidential."
Zach accepted the package from her hand and looked at the plain brown wrapper, "Where is this from?"
"I don't know and neither does the courier. It wasn't ticking or anything so I figured it was safe," she said with a short laugh.
He signed his new name on the line indicated and returned the clipboard to his assistant who closed the door behind her as she left the office. He looked at the plain package before picking it up and shaking it. No sound. He pulled a letter opener from his desk and carefully opened the package and removed a book. Turning the packaging upside down a note slipped out as well. He picked it up and read:
Thank you for the book. It was… an eye opener. K
He allowed the note to flutter to the desk in surprise. How had she found him? Or had she? Looking at the package, he saw that it was addressed to General Manager with no specific name except that of the hotel casino and the street address. He was perplexed… he had not given her a book. Erica had returned them all to him when he had been banned from the hospital. What was she up to? Or was this someone's idea of a practical joke?
He read the title of the book, A Tale of Two Cities. Closing his eyes he remembered clearly sitting in the ICU and reading the words to Kendall each night of her coma… and recalling very clearly his own words the night he had finished the book. Words that he had meant… words that she had not remembered… words that would have been nothing but a burden if she had. This was not the volume he had read to her. That one was contained on a bookshelf in his suite. Obviously it was a practical joke. Now he could only wonder who had such incredibly bad taste… until the door to his office opened once again.
He looked up and saw Kendall walking into his office with a broad smile on her face and dropped the book onto his desk without even realizing it had left his hands as he rose from his chair. She was so beautiful… it was hard to imagine that she could grow even more lovely, but she had. She walked with that same sashay she used to have… right up to his desk before leaning forward to place a hand on the book he dropped.
"Hello, Zach. I think you dropped this," she said in barely more than a whisper, her eyes never leaving his. "It's good to see you."
Zach stood silently, feeling a combination of surprise, admiration and pleasure. As Kendall continued around the desk, he turned to meet her and before he even realized what was happening she had placed her arms around his neck and her lips against his in a kiss the likes of which he had only imagined. His own arms gathered her close as he deepened the kiss with a groan of agony… and delight.