Chapter 13
The room lit up with a bright flash of lightning, and thunder rattled the windowpane. Frank Hardy stood near the window, with his hands shoved deep into his sweatpants pockets looking out at the trees and houses that surrounded his neighborhood. The dark clouds were gathering, being pushed across the sky by the strong winds that whistled through the trees.
"Hey," called a voice from the doorway, bringing him back to the present, back from the hypnotic swaying of the trees. He didn't move and continued staring out.
Callie walked up to where Frank was standing. "I missed you last night," she said softly.
Silence. Frank still didn't reply or move.
"I had to pull an all nighter to get my article on Ophelia published for this morning. It made front page," Callie pressed on.
"Like I knew it would," Frank said quietly.
Callie took a deep breath, "I had to keep the dinner appointment Frank. Nobody knew where you were, he was my only lead. You would have done the same. Plus, I had an agreement with Steven."
"James sold the flash drive to Steven, didn't he?"
Momentarily stunned, Callie nodded. "How did you know?"
"Nobody at his age would invest so aggressively and that too conveniently around the same time James came into possession of that recording," Frank relayed.
"Steven donated every dime he made to the families of the deceased and numerous charities. If I had reported him, the money would have been tied down in paying off the many lawsuits filed against Ophelia. This way was better," Callie explained.
"What did Steve think he was buying?"
"He thought that he's bought the original, sole flash drive with the evidence on a secret affair. That way he thought that he's controlled the negative backlash and that's why he'd be making a fortune - in his mind there's no way that the scandal would come out. Steven genuinely believed that the medication is going to be profitable for a few months and he can make a good return on his investment before dropping his shares," Callie explained.
They stood in silence for some more time and then finally Frank spoke, "I know. I understand why you did it, though I wish you hadn't."
She bit her lower lip to hold back from telling him that Rob was a monster capable of unspeakable crimes. It only made sense to take the only thing he valued most away from him - his money. She understood why Frank was peeved, because he worried for her - a lot.
"I was so scared last night Frank, but it is over now. I am so glad you're okay, "she said with a slight tremor.
Finally, Frank turned and looked at her. As he continued to stare, Callie's expression changed to that of worry.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Frank reached up to brush a few errant strands of hair from her lovely face, "There, that's better."
She blushed lightly but gathered her wits and pressed closer to him. When he winced at her touch she immediately jumped back. "Does it hurt a lot?" she asked softly.
"No... Too numb. You being here helps," Frank tilted his head down until they were pressed cheek-to-cheek. Callie's arms cradled his back, pulling him in.
Frank let her hold him, enjoying the warmth. Not long after, Callie tilted her face away. She angled him until their lips met. At first it was a soft touch, barely even a brush, but to Frank it was like everything good in the world was right here. Whenever he was with her, he couldn't feel anything negative or damning; all he knew was the high he was always on every time she touched him. He parted her lips and deepened the kiss.
A gentle calm washed over him. It was evident enough that Callie pulled away, satisfied.
"Still upset with me?" she asked. Her smile a bare tilt of the lips.
Frank sighed.
"I can never be upset with you Callie. As far as I am concerned, you are the most compassionate person I know." Then he added with a wink, "I missed you too last night."
"I love you," Callie smiled.
Frank slowly nodded before responding, "I know!"
Callie gaped at him and then crossed her arms across her chest. "Oh no you didn't."
"I'm kidding! I love you too," Frank grinned.
Callie rolled her eyes and started to leave. Frank called after her, "I love you mucho...I love you mucho grande."
She kept walking and was now at the bedroom door.
"I love you like gangbusters. To infinity and beyond…. I was doing a rendition of Han Solo here. Come on it's a little bit charming," Frank was worried now.
Callie stopped and turned, "It was a little bit charming. I mean, I like the groveling afterwards better."
Frank stammered, "I - I can grovel some more."
Callie laughed, "Come on, help me prep for game night. You're supposed to be hosting."
Frank didn't need to be told twice. He jogged after her and was soon walking towards the kitchen with his arm around her shoulders.
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The rain lashed down onto the car park floor with the force of nails, struck by a celestial hammer. The clouds dominated the afternoon sky engulfing the sun light into its grey abyss. Row, upon row, upon row, of cars filled the car park all leading the supermarket entrance. Above the entrance stood the four letters of ASDA, glowing with green defiance against the gloomy weather. Outside was a dwindling supply of shopping trolleys, soon to be used by the next wave of rush hour customers. The huge automatic entrance door parted as Joe and Vanessa walked towards it, eager to be inside.
"Thanks again for coming with me," Joe called out to Vanessa as he brushed of the rainwater from him.
"Sure thing, I am happy to help," Vanessa took a step forward and focused on the display in front of her. She saw Joe jump as a lady tried to squeeze past him with her shopping cart.
"Yeah, that is what happens when you leave everything for the last minute," Joe grumbled. "You up for a little game?"
Vanessa laughed, "And what would that be?"
He handed her a piece of paper, "Here, this is your half of the list and I've got mine. The first one to checkout the items wins."
"You are on mister. Let the grocery games begin," Vanessa narrowed her eyes at Joe and then without warning sprinted for a shopping cart, Joe ran after her.
Five minutes later, they found themselves facing each other on the same aisle. Joe pushed his cart into Vanessa's such that she was forced to back up while Joe filled his cart with his items from the said aisle.
"Hey, no fair. This is sabotage," Vanessa cried out mockingly.
"You make up the rules as you go along. And baby this is war," Joe snickered.
Half hour later Joe made his way to the checkout lanes feeling triumphant. He looked around and smirked as Vanessa was nowhere around. Most likely still shopping. Just one more person ahead of him and the win was his. Joe froze as he heard the announcement from the PA system overhead.
Requesting the presence of Joe Hardy at aisle 34, there is an emergency….
Alarmed, Joe rushed toward the announced aisle and upon getting there found an employee of the supermarket standing smiling at him. "Vanessa is a friend and she called in a favour," he shrugged.
Joe ran back to the checkout lanes to see Vanessa already checked out and blowing on her fingernails. She looked up at him and winked.
As Joe slid behind the wheel after loading all their groceries, he felt his face redden, Vanessa was sitting next to him with a beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. "How does it feel to lose?" she laughed.
Blushing he said, "It's not over, I'll get you tonight. We have some intense games planned for the evening."
"Well, bring it on," Vanessa smirked. "How's Frank doing? His injuries heal?"
"Yup! Frank is doing much better. Callie should be at the apartment now," Joe said looking at his watch.
"They have been together long?" Vanessa inquired.
"Forever, it was annoying at first to have her around all the time, now we co-exist peacefully," Joe laughed thinking about the endless bickering he and Callie engaged in as teens.
"High school sweethearts," Vanessa mused.
"Callie was already with someone when they met, but my brother was in love and does not give up easily. In the end, he bowled her over and they 've been together since," Joe recalled.
"Bowled over? Isn't that a cricket terminology?" Vanessa asked.
Joe nodded. "Yeah, picked it up during my time in London. I was there for a year as an exchange student." It was shortly after Iola had died that Joe could not bear staying in a place that constantly haunted him with her memories. He fought down a wave of sadness.
"How did Frank take it? Seems like you both are inseparable," Vanessa questioned.
Joe was silent for a bit remembering that time. Frank had immersed himself in a case that had pushed him over the edge. "I'm just glad that part of our lives is over," he finally said.
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Later that evening, there was a lively gathering at the Hardy's apartment. All their friends had arrived, music blared and the games were in full swing.
"Do not put Frank and Joe on the same team. I swear they can read each other's minds," Biff called out, their blond muscular friend.
"Put me with Joe," Callie announced.
"Hey, you are abandoning me babe," Frank feigned hurt.
"I love you honey, but we wanna see you go down," Callie stated giving Joe a high five.
"Don't worry Frank, I got you. I already beat Joe once today," Vanessa chirped as she took her seat next to Frank.
"Hold up," Chet yelled as he balanced chips and salsa in one hand and popcorn in the other. "I bring refreshments."
"No way, Chet has the worst poker face in the world. He is not on my team,"Joe called out.
Frank rolled his eyes as his best friend, Phil spoke up, "When will you learn, life isn't fair? Now suck up and pick a card."
By the end of the night, Frank's team had won the game of pictionary by a lot and Joe was complaining loudly and asking for a rematch.
After helping clean up moments later, Vanessa scanned the room for Joe and found him standing at the balcony. She joined him out there, "Still reeling from losing to Frank?"
Joe turned around and smiled, "Nah! Frank always wins, he is kind of annoying that way."
"Maybe, but I beat you twice today. Are you sure you don't just suck at games?" Vanessa said.
Joe got up at her face, "Are you here to gloat?"
Vanessa's heart fluttered in her chest with nervousness at Joe standing so close to her. Before she knew it, she had wrapped her arms around him. "No, I am here to collect," she leaned up and kissed him fully on his lips.
When she pulled back Joe's face had a shocked expression which turned into a smile quickly, "Well then, I believe you won twice?" He pulled her close and this time the kiss lasted long.
Flushed and breathless Vanessa took Joe's hand, "Come on, we should go inside." She smiled.
Hand in hand they made their way back inside and watched with awe as Chet and Biff performed the floss dance. Joe laughed and clapped before Vanessa nudged him to give it a try, too. They joined in to try the sensational dance step that had gripped the nation, together.
The End
A/N: Thank you very much to everyone who took the time to read this story and give me such wonderful feedback! It is always a pleasure hearing from you and I truly appreciate your support and loving comments to this story.
I also want to take a moment to thank my wonderful BETA Dragonmaster65 who provided immense support and encouragement throughout the story. I couldn't have done this without you.
