A WOMAN APART: Chapter 24 - RUNNING AWAY

by tarskeewee08

Pressing 12, Evangeline waited as the doors to the elevator closed taking her to Layla's floor. She needed to talk to Layla about her photo shoot today. The girl was clueless to the type of people she was dealing with. Evangeline sighed as the elevator dinged for the 12th floor. Communicating with her sister was never something that she was good at.

Walking to her hotel room she thought about the moment earlier with John. What would she do without his faith in them? In her own way she needed that now more than anything.

Layla answered the door before Evangeline could finish knocking.

"Van, what are you doing here?" she asked with a shocked look on her face.

Evangeline looked at the skimpy outfit Layla wore and frowned "Who were you expecting?"

Walking into the room she noticed pictures laid out on Layla's bed. "Did you take these today?"

Layla rolled her eyes and closed the door "That's my business"

Evangeline picked up the photos. They were headshots and pretty standard. She looked at Layla. "We need to talk"

Layla walked over and snatched them from her hand "I have plans and don't want to talk"

Evangeline sat on her bed "Sit down."
Layla looked at her sister ready to protest but thought better of it when she saw the serious look on her face.

"What is it now?" she asked clearly annoyed.
"The guy that you took photos with today is part of the same group of thugs that set you up."

Layla stared at Evangeline with no reaction.
"Did you hear me?"
Layla smirked "You're jealous!"
Evangeline looked at her confused "What?"
"You heard me you're jealous. I'm finally doing something on my own with out you or momma and you can't stand it. I'm not momma's puppet like you. I live for me. This here is for me!" she said shaking the photos in Evangeline's face before putting them back in the portfolio folder.

Rising from the bed Evangeline stood over her sister and glared "I need you to listen to me. I need you to let go of whatever hatred or distrust you have of me and really listen. These men are not who they present themselves to be. Tomorrow morning we'll be going down to the police station to work on the plea deal you agreed too. It requires you wearing a wire and meeting with these creeps. Until then you should stay away from Eugene Barker"

Layla frowned "Gene is not like that and he told me you would do this. He severed ties with his brother because of what he did to me. I know all about it"

Evangeline stared at Layla amazed. The girl was really gullible, how in the hell did she survive in LA alone for two years? Layla saw the look on Evangeline's face and became angry "I'm a grown woman and I don't need you or mama to tell me how to lead my life."

Walking over to her sister Evangeline knelt down and looked at her "Layla this isn't a joke. You stay away from this man. You also be prepared to meet with these prosecutors tomorrow, to assist with this investigation or you'll go back to jail….do you hear me?"

Before Layla could respond they both heard a knock at the door. Evangeline looked at Layla who looked away not acknowledging it. She rose from in front of her and went to the door. Standing on the other side was Lisa.

Evangeline was in no mood for this and was sure that she couldn't knock sense into Layla with Lisa's input. She opened the door and sighed "Hey ma, this isn't a good time."

Lisa looked at her incredulously and pushed past her "I beg your pardon but I need to see my girls."

Layla sat back on the bed resting her back against her head board. She folded her arms and pouted. Evangeline closed the door and walked back over to the other bed and sat down

Lisa noticing the tension between them looked at Evangeline suspiciously "What did I interrupt?"

"It was between me and Layla" Evangeline said dismissively
Lisa walked over and sat on the bed with Layla. Turning to Layla she fixed her with a distrustful look "What did you do?"

Layla looked at her hurt "Why do you assume I did something?"
"Because you always do!" Lisa shot back

Evangeline glared at her mother "Mom stop it!" Both Layla and Lisa looked up surprised but she didn't care "Why must you do that…come into a situation you know nothing about and then go on the attack. It's getting old."

Lisa glared at Evangeline "You watch your tone with me cookie! I am still your mother"

Layla rolled her eyes "And she will never let you forget it" she said sarcastically

Evangeline ran her hands through her hair "I'm glad you're here mom, I was coming to see you next"

"Really?" Lisa said smiling

"You paid John a visit today?"
Layla sat up and looked at her mom. This ought to be good she thought. Lisa smiled evilly at her daughter "What if I did?"

Evangeline eyes dropped away "I wish you would just let it alone. Its none of your concern" she said softly

Lisa huffed "It very well is my concern. The man is beneath you. He's also a distraction. I think its time you get focused again Cookie."

Layla looked at Evangeline disgusted "Are you going to sit here and let her talk to you like that about your own boyfriend?"

Evangeline bit her bottom lip "He's not my boyfriend"

Layla shook her head "You two are sick. Every time Van gets a little independence from what you want from her you work to destroy it!" she said glaring at her mother. Then turning to her sister "And like always whenever its time to stand up to her you act like a coward! It's why I don't respect you. It's why I think you deserve your misery!"

"Shut up girl!" Lisa snapped
Evangeline looked up at them both hurt. She wanted to scream at them and defend herself but her guilt held her back. She couldn't break the cycle. Layla was right she was pathetic.

Lisa smiled at Evangeline "It's okay baby, momma knows best and I say that John needs to go. You aren't good at relationships. Think about it. Do you really think he could live with some of the things you've done?"

Layla jumped up from the bed and glared at her mother "Stop it!"

Lisa turned on her daughter and stood in her face "Who are you talking too? You will respect me or I will smack the taste out of your mouth!" Lisa put her hands on her hips and moved in closer to Layla "Listen girl. I wouldn't expect you to understand the dynamics of an adult relationship. Mind your own business I know what I am talking about!"

Layla stood her ground "I am sick to death of you and your constant interference in our lives. I am sick to death of you period!" she shouted

Lisa slapped Layla hard across the face making her step backward. Evangeline looked at the scene horrified but remained paralyzed. Layla turned and looked at Evangeline "You never defend me! You never protect me! What the hell is wrong with you!" she screamed.

Evangeline tried to speak but couldn't. Layla's eyes teared and she went to the dresser and retrieved her purse. Lisa stood there smirking at her when she looked back at them both. "I hate you both!" she hissed and slammed out.

Lisa turned on Evangeline "I told you she wasn't worth the effort"
Evangeline stood and grabbed her purse "Something is wrong with you mama." Walking to the door she looked at Lisa who still stood there smug "You won't be happy until we are as miserable as you." she said disappointed that any time spent with the two of them always turned into this.

"Cookie, I want you to end things with John" Lisa said confidently
Evangeline opened the door and fought the urge to cry "Leave me alone ma. Let me go"
Lisa shook her head "Never!"

John stat in his loft drinking his beer. He knew Evangeline was meeting with Layla and her mom and it worried him. Lisa brought out the worst in Van and she was so damaged after reliving this Dennis thing he wasn't confident she could handle it. The phone rang and he picked it up.

"Hello?"
"Hey" Evangeline said softly
"Where are you?"
"Across the street" she replied
John could tell she'd been crying. "You said you were coming over here. Why are you sitting across the street in your car?"

There was an uncomfortable pause "John I don't want to hurt you."
"Okay he said calmly
"My life is a mess now. My family is a mess. These issues, there not your problem."
John put his beer down on the coffee table and held the phone tighter "Come in Van we need to talk this out face to face"
"No!" she said desperately "I can't, because when I'm with you I give in. Looking into your eyes I get weak for us and this needs to end."

John got up and went to the large studio window in his loft that gave a good view of the street. He saw her sitting in the car across and thought about rushing outside to her "Listen baby, what you're going through is tough. I can only imagine how bad these scars have destroyed you. But I can help. I want to help"

Evangeline wiped at her tears and stared up at his loft window. She saw him looking out at her "No" she said weakly "I have to end this. I would only destroy it. I don't deserve you. I want this all to stop"

John sighed heavily in the phone "What did your mom say Van? Did she tell you to end this with us? Did she demand it?"

"It's not her fault. She knows I'm no good"
John couldn't contain his anger "That's bullshit and you know it! Why do you insist on viewing yourself through Lisa's eyes? When will you stop making excuses to live a life of your own? I knew of your strength before I met you. You are stronger than this Van and you know it!"

Evangeline burst into tears.

John held the phone and listen to her cry. He regretted forcing all of this Dennis stuff to the surface. He knew it was painful for her but he missed his tough take no prisoners Vangie. Now she was barely recognizable. "I'm coming downstairs."

Evangeline started the car "No!" she said still crying.
"What are you going to do? Run and be empty for the rest of your life?"

"All I know is that this is wrong and we can't be together"
John looked at her through the clouded glass of his window. She was right if he was near her he'd make her face it. He'd make her see the truth. "I won't give up Van, you know that."

She looked up at the window and closed her phone. Wiping away her tears she thought of what a wonderful man he really was. But Lisa was right. They weren't meant to be. Putting the car in drive she pulled away.

John turned off his cordless and watched her drive away. Walking back to his sofa he threw the phone across the room in frustration. He could get into his car and go after her. Although he was tempted to do just that he knew it wasn't going to work. He had to beat Lisa at her own game.

The suicide note came back to him. There had to be one. Why would Dennis kill himself and not leave a note? He's seen many teen suicides and most want their reasons to be explained. Candace told him that Dennis told Layla he didn't blame Evangeline that it wasn't her fault.

John was sure that there had to be proof of this. How would he get Lisa to tell him what happened to it? Picking up his beer he took another drink. Time was running out. Evangeline was destroying herself with this and he had to find a way to stop it once and for all.