Chapter 9
Jack was so pissed, he was about to beat the shit out of that stupid board member that had been talking crap for the last 15 minutes. But it wasn't the crap what made him mad. He couldn't stop wondering how on Earth had he been such a moron and fallen in Kate's trap.
He was mad at her because she had lied to him again, making him believe that she was actually in need of a helping hand. But specially, he was mad at himself because he had cheated on Scarlett. He had made love to Kate three times in a row and he had enjoyed it. Now he felt like shit. He kept repeating in his head that Scarlett deserved better.
And it only got worse when he could finally reach her and talk to her on the phone. He needed to hear her voice, to have her close and remember why he was in love with her.
— Hey! How's it going? I've been trying to reach you since yesterday… Uh-huh… What? Where you said you are? And what are you supposed to photograph there? And who's this secret client? You still don't know? Listen, is Claire around? Put her on the phone… No, everything's fine. Yeah, I miss you too. I'll see you tomorrow night… Claire, hey… Uh… we need to talk…
After he talked with Claire his enragement grew more. He couldn't believe it. Everything had been a set up. He should have known better. He had fallen like a fool, as if he had met Kate 5 minutes ago. But he still didn't understand what the hell she was thinking. Even to that day he didn't believe that she could be genuinely in love with him. After all she had abandoned him, right? He felt used. He couldn't be around her by any means.
That's why he decided to stay at Scarlett's. There, where everything shouted her name, he was safe. Safe from Kate, but specially safe from himself, from the thoughts that ran through his mind every time he saw her.
So he went to his apartment, hoping that she had gone out. He felt relieved when he noticed she wasn't around. He packed enough clothes to make it through the week. After all, he had told him she would be moving soon. He froze when he hard her asking what he was doing from the door frame. He behaved as cold and different as he could be, and the last thing he did was asking her to let him know when she left. Damn it… he thought after he closed the door behind him.
The next day, Kate had been trying to reach him nonstop. She had left dozen messages in his cell phone, she had paged him and she had even tried at the hospital using false names. But she wasn't being lucky. — Hi, Dr. Jack Shephard please? What you mean he's in surgery now? You told me an hour ago that he'd be in his office! Listen! This is an emergency! Fine!
Then his secretary on the other side of the line just hung up on her. It was evident that Jack was refusing to answer her calls. She cried desperate. What the hell was going on? Two nights ago he was making her touch the stars and now he didn't even want to talk to her? That made no sense at all. First he moved to Scarlett's, practically pushing her to leave his apartment, and now he had instructed his own secretary to avoid her. It couldn't be. That night she cried until she fell asleep on his bed. Of course she tried his cell phone a couple of times more, but there was no reply.
Meanwhile, Jack was picking up Claire and Scarlett at the airport. They headed to his mother's house afterwards to leave Claire, who was smiling impassively, aware of the situation. When they got there, he suggested Scarlett to stay in the car while he helped Claire with her bags.
Once inside, Margo received them with joy. Aaron was already asleep, so Claire just walked quietly in his room to check on him and kiss his forehead sweetly. Then they went to the still intact Christian's library and locked themselves inside to prevent Margo from listening.
— Jesus Christ Jack! I cant' believe you did that! How can you be so stupid! —Claire snapped, furious.
— I told you it was a mistake! I didn't want it to happen!
— And I told you to kick her out right away! But you didn't listen to me, you never do!
— I just wanted to help her!
— Of course you helped her! Big time! —she yelled, referring to the fling he'd had with Kate, which he had confessed to her on the phone the day before.
— That's why I'm turning to you Claire! Scarlett can't know about it, ever… —he assured, walking around like a caged lion.
— And how the hell am I going to help you when you have that woman living under your very roof?!
— I've been staying at Scarlett's, since the night after… —he affirmed in self defense.
Her eyes went wider. — Really?
— Yeah… But now I need to explain to her why I moved in… —he said, rubbing his hair.
— And why you moved in? You feel guilty? Because if you only did it because of that, she's going to know right away… —Claire warned.
He sighed deeply. — Of course I feel guilty, Claire. But you know that has nothing to do with it. I moved in because… because it's just about time. She wants that, and you know about my plans…
But Claire just shook her head in disbelief. — Hey… —he said, looking for his sister's eyes— I love Scarlett, I do… I made a huge mistake, but I'm going to fix it… —he affirmed, desperation in his eyes.
Claire gave him a disapproving look. — Fine Jack. I'm going to help you clean your mess —she crossed her arms on her chest and began walking around— Tell Scarlett exactly what you're telling me. Tell her you love her and that's why you're moving in. Tell her it's a surprise. And whenever she asks about Kate, don't you panic. You just act naturally and tell her about the job she's starting and that apartment she's taking. I'll make sure Kate sticks to her plans… and as for you… —she said with reproachful eyes.
— What? —he asked confused.
— You keep going Jack… You stick with your plans too and you don't let this distract you. You just put it behind… —she said vehemently.
He nodded, knowing what she meant. She was right. He was being distracted. He had a new life and he had to keep living it. — I will… —he replied determined.
He left his mother's home and got in the car, ready to run to those plans of his. — Guess what? I've got a surprise for you… —he announced to Scarlett.
When they got to Scarlett's apartment, the first thing she noticed were some of his suits hanging in her closet. She rushed to the bathroom and spotted his toothbrush next to hers. She didn't ask a question but jumped him instead, happy and thrilled as could be. As she undressed him on her bed and kissed him eagerly, the images of his wild night with Kate flashed before his eyes. He cursed inside. Of all women on the planet, he had to end up with one that looked like his former love. How ironic. He felt like a hypocrite.
Later that night, as he watched Scarlett sleeping beside him, he put himself together. He kept repeating to himself it didn't matter how much he had loved Kate. It didn't matter she was back trying to make him believe she loved him, because it wasn't true. All they had was a love story that never even began. He got Scarlett's back closer to his chest and held her tight, breathing deeply on her hair. That was the way it had to be. He felt home.
The phone ringing woke Kate up next morning. — Jack! —she replied, startled. But it wasn't him. It was someone from the restaurant. — At 11:00? But I've already signed those forms… Fine, I'll be there… —she hung up, rubbing her eyes. That damn job, she thought, she hadn't even started and the paperwork was already being hell.
She went to the restaurant at 11:00 as she had been told. She got in and the man that was going to be her boss told her she had to sign all the forms again.
She shrugged and started reading again. — Uh, excuse me, but there's a mistake here…
The man looked at her. — What mistake would that be?
— I applied for the hostess position… —the man remained impassive— these forms are for the Purchasing Manager…
The man smiled. — We're changing your position, Ms. Austen.
— Why would you do that? —she asked stunned.
— We received the order from our board. It seems someone gave you a very strong recommendation…
She shook her head, abashed. — But why? Who?
— I'm afraid I'm not allowed to give you any further details, Ms. Austen.
— But I don't know anything about purchasing for a restaurant! I'm not qualified for that job… —she said honestly.
But the man wasn't worried. — We're giving you training, Ms. Austen, of course. Besides, you're a woman, aren't you? All women are capable of purchasing, believe me… —he stated with a warm smile.
When she left the restaurant's office, she felt concerned and confused. Who would give her a managing position? It was insane. Her boss-to-be had spoken about a recommendation. Her face illuminated. Was Jack behind it? And if that was the case, why? A dark feeling took over her heart. Maybe he did it because he wanted her out of his place immediately, and a better wage would definitely help. No, she thought shaking her head, that was stupid. She had never even mention to Jack the name of the restaurant. There was no way he could know. Maybe it was just a sign that she had to start over for real. Maybe she was been given a chance.
She walked out through the service door when she lifted her eyes and saw Jack getting in. Her heart beat faster. She went to the main entrance and walked in, assuring the host she was with him. Without saying a word, she sat right in front of him.
— What are you doing here Kate? —he asked, his face pale and a painful look in his eyes.
— Is this the way you're going to deal with this? You're just going to ignore me and pretend I don't exist? I thought you were a gentleman, Jack…
— And I thought you were not a tramp… —he snapped.
She went mute and just grimaced in indignation. He rubbed his eyes. — I'm sorry, I didn't mean that… —he assured.
— Yes you did, Jack. So, that was it? I was just a one night stand?
— It was what it was Kate, nothing else…
— So what it was? Let's hear it…
He breathed deeply. — Listen Kate, I've been wondering what's really moving you to do all you're doing and I just don't get it. But that night I was drunk, and it was a mistake. It was never supposed to happen. I'm with someone now and that's the way it's going to be. You can stay at my place as long as you want, and I mean it, but I'm not coming back until you leave… I'm sorry…
She was trying hard to stifle her tears. — Jack… if you don't want to understand why I'm here, that's your choice. But I can't keep humiliating myself anymore… I just can't…
— I don't expect you to… I never have…
— Jack… —said a man standing beside the chair where she was sitting— Who's this lovely lady?
He cleared his throat and stood up and looked at Kate. — Frank, hi… Uh, this is Frank Dillingham, he's Scarlett's father. She's Kate Austen, a friend of mine. We just ran into each other, but she was just leaving, right Kate? —he said with a set look.
She had forgotten how cold he could be sometimes. — It's nice to meet you… —she said shaking Frank's hand, trying to conceal. Then she turned her eyes to him— Goodbye Jack… —she said feebly.
She rushed to his place, tears running wild through her face. She crossed the front door, trying to contain her sobbing. She heard the noise of the teapot in the kitchen. She wasn't alone. She walked to the rooms and overheard Claire's voice coming from the studio.
— Yes, a table for two at the terrace. You sure have a no smoking policy, right? Fine… Oh, and make sure you give them the best view. Perfect… Uh-huh, he's giving it to your host when he gets there… Remember they have to be red tulips, we don't want any other flower, okay? Fantastic… Thank you very much…
By the time she hung up, Kate was staring at her with fearful eyes. — What are you doing? —she asked.
Claire threw an evil smile. — You keep asking me that as if I had no right to be here…
— That's not what I mean…
— Well, Jack needs more clothes and he asked me to get them for him. He doesn't want to see your face, huh? —she said sarcastically. Kate just looked away, unable to reply. — I guess that's the way men treat sluts, isn't it? —Claire completed cruelly.
That enraged Kate. — You have a secret crush on your brother, don't you Claire?
Claire's jaw dropped. — You are sick! How dare you?! —she said indignant.
Kate knew that had been out of line. — Why are you always attacking me Claire? Why can't you just give me a break?
Claire chuckled. — I knew it, I just knew it. All you were planning on since day one was to get in Jack's pants, right? You were just waiting for a chance…
— What are you talking about? —Kate asked.
— Tell me Kate, you have any idea why Scarlett and I were hired to photograph coffee tables in New Mexico?
Kate froze and swallowed. — Yeah, that's the same face I put when Jack told me. I didn't know a photographer was one of your many alter egos… —Claire said scathingly.
She never expected Jack would know about that. Those damn Others' files… She was doomed. He would never forgive her for that. — Why can't you just believe I love Jack, Claire? Why is that so outrageous for you to understand?
— I don't give a shit if you love him or not. It's too late now Kate, deal with it…
— Haven't you ever made a mistake? Have you ever done something you regret later? Don't you think we're all entitled to make things right and being given a second chance? —Kate questioned.
Claire's face went blank. She hesitated. — Of course, of course I have. We all make mistakes Kate, and we all hope we can take them back. But sometimes we just can't…
Kate felt something awful in her stomach. — What you mean?
— Jack is proposing to Scarlett. I was just arranging their romantic dinner … —she said with a winning smile. She was dying to break the news the second Kate showed.
Kate felt her legs trembling. — You're lying…
— No, I'm not. And listen to me Kate, 'cause I'll tell you only once more: if you really love him, if you really care about him, then you'll know what's good for him. This is not about you, Kate. Just get out of his life. You can't win this time…
— I don't believe you… —Kate said in denial, her voice breaking.
— You think I'm bluffing? —Claire asked and then burst out laughing— God! Well, it's better that way, I guess… —she said as she locked the upper drawer on Jack's desk— Game's over, Kate. You lost. Oh, and one more thing… —Then she walked to Kate and said to her face— If you try something, if you ruin this, I swear to God I'll fucking kill you… —Claire threatened, venom showing through her voice.
Then she walked away, leaving Kate trembling. Claire was lying, she was obviously lying just to make her run away. The second she heard the slamming front door, she rushed frantic to the drawer and picked the lock. She opened it and saw a tiny red box inside. With shaking hands she opened it. Her stomach convulsed and she felt she couldn't breathe. It was a beautiful and glamorous Cartier diamond ring.