Bits and Pieces

Schuyler enters Crimson Lights to grab a quick bite and a drink. She freezes when she steps on the patio and looks inside the entrance. She sees some familiar faces, including him. She cringes when she sees him.

Inside the coffee house, Nick was still talking with Lily and Mattie, Billy/Kyle/Jack and Victoria were also all enjoying food and drinks together. Schuyler had intended to get some coffee and some food and eat on the inside, but now she just felt like walking away.

No, I am not going to let him stop me from getting something to eat… I will show him he doesn't affect me. She thinks to herself. She takes a breath and heads inside the coffeehouse. On her way to the counter, Billy, Kyle and Jack all see her and make various faces, from raised eyebrows to frowns. Nick also notices her and frowns. Schuyler heads towards the counter and sees there are a few people in line ahead of her. While in line, Schuyler hears tidbits of conversation that annoys her and makes her cringe. The first thing that she hears is Victoria/Billy laughing as they are showing Kyle and Jack a funny picture of Johnny and Katie.

"Oh, this picture of us with Katie and Johnny is just the funniest thing." Victoria says showing the picture to Kyle and Jack.

"Yes, me making a total fool of myself with my kids and the woman that I love." Billy says smiling proudly.

Schuyler frowns deeply when she hears this exchange. She then hears a tidbit of another conversation with Jack/Kyle.

"So, how it's going with you and your new lady…?" Jack asks Kyle.

"Pretty good. I'm taking her to a concert tomorrow night. It's one of her favorite bands…." Kyle says smiling at Jack.

"Atta boy." Jack says encouraging Kyle's new relationship. Schuyler frowns again and tries not to roll her eyes. She starts to get angrier the more she hears the men in the coffeehouse enjoying themselves and talking about the women in their life. Once the line in front of her has witled down, she gets up to the counter and places her order.

She hears a bit of Nick's conversation with Lily next.

"I think that you and I are going to have a really good time at this wedding together." She hears Nick tell Lily. "It will be fun for us to just shoot the breeze together."

"I'm looking forward to it, and how good of a dancer are you...?" Lily asks him. Schuyler cringes inwardly when she's hears this exchange. And she continues to get upset as she continues to hear more bits and pieces from the different men's conversations and feeling very angry whenever he speaks.

The cashier brings Schuyler's order to the front and grabs some napkins and utensils for her.

"To go...Right?" The server asks. While the server continues to get everything together for her, Schuyler hears more bits and pieces of conversation.

"I tell you I can get down…" Nick brags to Lily. "We really are going to have so much fun together, you'll see…I'm a good date to take to the wedding."

"I'm glad you are enjoying yourself with your new lady…son…" Jack says to Kyle.

"Me too, Dad, I know I've said this before, but I really hope this relationship goes somewhere. I am enjoying spending time with her." Kyle admits happily to Jack.

"We are going to drop the kids off with their grandparents next weekend, when we have our romantic getaway together." Billy informs Jack and Kyle.

"Ha ha!". Victoria's voice rings out in laughter as Billy leans over and kisses her on the cheek.

Hearing all the romantic sounding comments especially from him, makes Schuyler feel even angrier and she starts to feel like she will be sick. She quickly grabs her bag and drink and rushes out of the restaurant to eat her meal in her car, before she goes into work at the GCAC club that day. On her way out she wonders if he notices her. All the men notice her storming out. The one that she was romantically involved with does glance at her a bit longer, than the others but goes back to having conversation. He continues to enjoy himself and is glad he got out of that situation while he did.

Schuyler goes out into her car in the parking lot, takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.

I can't let him ending things with me get to me. She thinks to herself. I am strong. I can do this. Schuyler then takes a sip of her drink and sighs heavily.

Why I am such a failure at relationships? She thinks to herself. Tears well up in her eyes. No man ever seems to want to make anything work with me. She thinks. She sighs again and takes another sip of her drink and then opens up her breakfast sandwich. She bites it, and tries to enjoy the food, and erase the sound of his voice out of her mind. After she's done eating, she gets in her car and heads away to get ready to go to work.

After she gets ready for work she heads to the GCAC and gets ready to begin her shift for the day. She smiles when she sees her favorite customer sitting down by himself. She quickly goes over to talk to him.

"Hey Fen.. how are you doing...?" She asks him giving him a bright smile.

He returns her smile. "I'm doing fine Schuyler... How are you doing?" He asks.

"Better now." She says looking into his handsome face. "It was a little rough, earlier but.. now it's much better." She says looking into his face and sighing happily.

"I'm glad to hear that." Fen tells her sincerely.

"So...uh, where is your fiancée?" She asks him curiously.

"Oh, she's at work. There are a lot of things she's working on there and she might actually be there until late tonight." He informs Schuyler.

Schuyler smiles. "So you're here all by your lonesome..." She says teasingly.

Fen shrugs his shoulders. "It's okay. The food is good and the service is nice." He says giving her a smile.

She smiles at him again, enjoying being around him. "Un-huh... Well, I'm glad you're here, whether you're by yourself or not. I enjoy serving you as a customer."

Fen smiles. "Thank you." He thinks for a moment. "And thank you again for your recommendation. Tiffany really is excellent at what she does."

"So you got it?"

Fen nods. "Yes, just wrapping up a few last minutes details, but it's mine now. And I can't wait to surprise Ana, with it." He tells Schuyler.

"She's probably going to be thrilled."

"I hope so. I want her to love this surprise." Fen says. "It will be my first gift to her as her husband."

"She should love it." Schuyler assures him. "She would be crazy not to."

Fen laughs. "Well, Ana's definitely not crazy. And I really do hope she will appreciate this gift. I think she will. I can't wait to present it to her."

"So you're really going to give it to her right after you're married?" Schuyler clarifies.

"After our honeymoon, when we come back to town." Fen informs Schuyler.

"Sounds like something that will start the marriage off on a really good foot." She remarks.

Fen nods. "I definitely hope so." Him and Schuyler chat for a little more. She asks him about where him and Ana are honeymooning. He tells her and then talks about how he's looking forward to relaxing on the beach with Ana. While he's talking about being on the beach with Ana, Schuyler zones out and she imagines him shirtless on the beach. She then pictures herself in a bikini on the beach with him. She shakes her head and snaps out of it.

"So, those are our honeymoon plans." He finishes telling Schuyler.

"Sounds great. I uh... hope you have a great time." They talk for a little more and then Schuyler takes his order. She then takes his order into the kitchen to give it to the chef. She tries her best to stay focus and not like let the type of thoughts she was having about him distract her. After Fen's food is ready she brings it to him and he enjoys it and looks forward to spending time with Ana later on. He'd hoped he would see her that night, but if she worked too late, he might not see her until the next day. But regardless of when he saw her, he was looking forward to spending time with her.