Hello people!!!! Wow, wow! I've been reading your reviews over and over again and I've found something really unexpected: some of you actually like Scarlett better than Kate and think Jack should stay with her! Wow, that means I'm doing things right, yet I didn't expect that. Others hate Jack's guts and think Kate should tell him to f---- off, and some others just don't know what he should do! Amazing, amazing, I love your strong reactions.
Well, in this new chap, hopefully I'll blow your minds again. Our lovely Scarlett, oh, you've got to love her... Such a sweet little thing... And what Kate does... Did you expect it? You've got to tell me... All I'm saying is OH-MY-GOD! What you think Jack's going to do now?
Also, I think it's fair to tell you that there are just 2 chapters left after this one. Awwww yes, this story is about to end :(
You're missing me already? Okay, time to read, enjoy and please review!
P.S. Thanks coffeaddict, Ella, Yvette, NYR88, Philadelphia, alemaclove88 and gillybean for your reviews. Love you guys...
P.S.2. sofia, where are you??
Chapter 10
Jack couldn't help but feel miserable. He knew he had treated Kate like scum, when he was scum himself. He knew he was totally responsible of his acts, even though Kate had set the stage. It wasn't fair to take it all on her, but now he had to keep going. He hated the fact that she believed she had been just a one night stand, when loving her had been everything he had wanted ever since he'd met her.
Once more he regretted he and Kate were just not supposed to be, as he believed to that day. Mixed emotions crossed his heart. He felt sorry for them, but then that feeling changed into madness. Why she had to come back now, after turning her back on him when he needed her the most? He refused to believe she loved him. He was certain about something: if she had come back, it was not because of love.
That day he had asked Scarlett's dad to meet him for lunch to tell him he was proposing within a week. When Scarlett first started dating Jack, Frank Dillingham didn't like the fact of him being older and divorced. Fortunately, he never knew about Jack's ups and downs, neither about his tragic past.
But as time went by and Frank got to know him better, he finally approved his relationship with Scarlett. The age was still an issue for Frank, but he believed it was the result of his daughter's feeble father figure, since he was barely around her. Anyway, Frank knew Scarlett loved Jack more than anything in the world, and now that Jack was in front of him talking about marriage, he felt content. Frank gave his approval and told Jack he could count on him whenever he needed. He didn't found Kate's presence awkward and didn't make any further questions.
After his encounter with Kate, Jack had trouble focusing on what he was doing. Yet he spoke to his father-in-law-to-be and told him about his plans. Then they left the restaurant and he went back to the hospital. There he tried to keep busy to prevent his thoughts from tormenting his heart.
He left the hospital before 8:00 pm and went back to Scarlett's. She was waiting happily for him with a nice dinner. Yes, she could cook too. She was totally excited with Jack now living with her. She had no idea of the mess he was inside.
He crossed the door and she walked to him, held him tight and kissed him sweetly.
— Hi baby…
— Hey…
— How was your day?
— As usual, nothing new… —he said flatly.
— You're hungry?
He nodded. — Come on then… —she said as she walked to the kitchen.
They started chatting about their day, but soon Scarlett began talking about her trip to New Mexico. — Can you believe it? They never told us who this client was. All we were told was that we had to photograph coffee tables in every single vintage building there…
Jack tried to keep cool. — What for?
— I have no idea! They never said if they wanted a catalogue, a studio, an album… They said they wanted us to unleash our creativity…
— They who?
— We had a contact, this chick named Cassidy… But I don't think she had any idea of what photography is about…
What a surprise, he thought. — Why?
— Well, when we were done we met her to deliver the material and she didn't even have a light box or a laptop to check the images. We asked her if she wanted to have them burnt in a CD or something, you know, and she said it didn't matter. Hell, she didn't even look at the pictures! She just said they were perfect, then handed us the check and walked away.
He couldn't believe how far Kate had gone to get Scarlett out of the picture.
— Unbelievable… —he uttered.
— I know… Anyway, we did our job, they paid, no damage done…
Wrong. She was very wrong. Jack stiffened. — Yeah… —he said looking down.
They finished diner and began clearing the table. When Scarlett was done with the dishes, they went to the bedroom. They were not going out because Jack was working the next day. Once a month, a crew from his hospital visited a free clinic in the outskirts of the city as a part of its pro bono program. That next day, Saturday, was Jack's turn.
Scarlett turned on the TV. — We can go to the movies if you want… —he suggested.
— Oh no sweetie, you need to rest, you'll have a long day tomorrow… —she replied as she got rid of her clothes to put on her PJs.
He nodded in agreement and began taking his shirt and pants off. They lay on the bed and she cuddled up to him. He felt uneasy. Knowing Kate as he did, he was positive she wouldn't stay put and walk away without getting what she wanted, even though he had no idea what that was. Yet he remembered her words. She wasn't humiliating herself anymore. He hoped that Claire could do something about it, evidently unaware of the nasty situation between her and Kate.
Scarlett soon got bored with the TV and turned it off. She turned around to meet his face and talk. — You hate me because I'm working tomorrow? —he asked her, regarding her boredom.
She rolled her eyes. — Of course not…
— Why don't you come with me?
She raised an eyebrow. — And what will I do while you work on your patients?
— I don't know, you can take pictures…
She laughed. — I don't think so baby. You'd get distracted and me, you know I hate hospitals… Besides, I have a full schedule…
— Really?
— Yep… I'm going to the agency, then to the orphanage, then I'm playing tennis with Maggie and hopefully you'll be done by that time… —she said with a smile.
— To the orphanage again?
— Yeah… I'm loving that project. You should see their little faces every time I take their pictures… They get so excited…
As he watched the glint in her eyes, he couldn't help thinking he deserved to go to hell. How on Earth had he been able to cheat when he had the most adorable creature by his side? — You're amazing, you know?
She caressed his face. — I know… —she said, mocking.
— You're not seeing Claire?
— No… —she said shaking her head.
— How come? —he asked incredulous. They were like Siamese twins.
— She has a date…
His eyes went wider. — A date?
— Yes, thank God… —she said rolling eyes.
He raised an eyebrow. — What?
She threw an impish smile. — Honey, she needs to get laid, bad…
He put a face of disgust. — Oh boy…
— Baby it's true. She's been so cranky lately, I just don' know what to do with her anymore… But hopefully we'll get there anytime soon…
— Oh come on, just shut up… —he said grossed out, not able to get rid of the virginal image he still had of Claire.
She laughed. — So, how's Kate doing?
His smile faded away and he tensed up. He hated when Scarlett asked about Kate. But he had to cope with it. — Uh, she's fine, I guess, I haven't seen her much lately… —he lied.
She looked at him intently. — You care about her, don't you?
He sought in her eyes. Was she sensing something? He had to look away. — Well she's my friend… I care about her like you care about Maggie or Claire… —Then his mind flew miles away— I just want her to be fine… —he stated with absent eyes.
She ran her hand through his hair. — She's going to be okay Jack… —she assured. He gave her a questioning look. — You'll see…
He was trying to figure out if Scarlett was just trying to comfort him or if she knew that for a fact. But sometimes he found impossible to read her. — Yeah…
— Now, time to sleep… —she said in a maternal tone.
— I'm not sleepy…
— I can tell you a bedtime story or, better yet, I can sing you a song…
He laughed. — What? You think only children can be lulled? —she asked chuckling.
— Uh, yes
— You're wrong… I can make you sleep in a minute… —she assured. Then she started singing a song she liked.
He found it amusing at first and laughed. But as he listened to the lyrics, he felt miserable. Scarlett was just the best girl alive and he knew many men would kill to have her, and she loved him. She was his. Yet he couldn't help it, he was thinking of Kate and that night they had. He felt guilty and sad and mad at the same time. But was he sad because he had cheated on Scarlett or because he had dug up what should've stayed buried? He didn't know himself. So all he did was kissing her to make her quiet and closed his eyes, trying to escape his thoughts.
Next morning he got up early. As he was getting ready for leaving, Scarlett made him a light breakfast. He ate half of it, telling her he wasn't that hungry, then kissed her goodbye and left. She leaned on the window, still in her Red Sox PJs —which he had given to her of course— and waved him as he got in the car. With a smile she watched him drive away.
Soon after, she went into the shower. Then she got dressed and had some coffee and toast. She wasn't expecting it, but Claire came over to leave the clothes she had taken from his apartment. Scarlett told her she could do that instead of her, but Claire made up a story to prevent her from going there and run into Kate. Then she said she was in a hurry and left. Scarlett just shrugged and gave no importance to the comment, thinking Claire was jittery because of the date she was having later.
So Scarlett went down her building and took her car. She was wearing skinny jeans and boots. Her white cotton top contrasted with the burgundy jacket she was wearing. The wind was blowing high in the sublime autumn sky, making her hair messy. The leaves fell down the trees, shinning with the burning dry sun. She stuck on her sunglasses. She always looked like a million dollars.
She headed to the agency to download the images from the many memory cards she had full. She stayed there for more than two hours. Then she left the agency building, a nice big construction of exquisite architecture. She left her car in the garage there, because she was going to the orphanage and it was better to take the bus. She stopped in the coffee house down the street and ordered a bagel and a mochaccino to go, which she had for lunch on the bus. She was carrying around, as always, the red backpack where she kept her camera and all her stuff.
Once at the orphanage, she greeted the children with a huge shinny smile. She loved kids and really enjoyed taking their pictures. She took her time with each of them, doing their hair and tiding them up to look cuter on the portraits. She took pictures of them alone, by pairs, by groups. Then she sat on the floor with them and they made a circle around her. She began showing them the pictures she had taken on the screen of her camera. She didn't mind that the kids grabbed and stuck their little noses and fingertips on her expensive equipment. When it was time to leave, she said goodbye to the kids, who covered her in embraces and kisses. Afterwards she went to the orphanage office to meet the director, and gave him the albums she had prepared before.
When she was out, she checked her watch. She decided she was picking her car after the match. She grabbed a cab and soon she was in the nicest part of the city, entering the club where she played tennis and Jack played golf. She went to the lockers and changed into her tennis outfit: a tiny white skirt, a polo T-shirt and sneakers. She pulled her hair in a pony tail and headed to the court, where Maggie was already waiting. They started playing and seemed to be having fun.
As she was there playing tennis with her friend, nonchalant and unaware of what was coming, Kate couldn't help but think she was perfect. She had been following Scarlett since she'd left her apartment. The day before, after finding the engagement ring Jack had bought for Scarlett, she felt she wanted to die. She didn't know what to do. She never expected Jack would react the way he did, so she didn't have a plan. She cried in panic, believing the game was really over as Claire had assured, and that she had lost him forever. But then she refused to resign herself. His body had demonstrated all the opposite, and even though he had told her at the restaurant that things were not changing between them, she didn't believe him. He still had to say it to her face. She wanted to hear him say he didn't love her anymore.
So she took the ring and stuck it in her pocket, not giving a damn if Claire accused her of robbery. If Jack wanted that ring, he would have to ask her for it. She rushed to the closest car rental. Then she headed to the hospital, willing to wait for him forever if necessary. The sun had already set when she saw him crossing the front door and walking to the parking lot. She followed him to Scarlett's apartment. He parked his car and went inside the building. Her stomach convulsed. She knew he wouldn't be out till the next day.
She went back to his place and cried her eyes out, her thoughts tormenting her. She believed she was finally paying for all the bad things she had done in her life. Yet she still believed losing Jack was just too high a price. She tried to sleep, but obviously she couldn't, so when the daylight started showing, she took a quick shower and went back to Scarlett's. She saw her waving from her window as he drove away. She didn't know why, but she decided to stay there instead of following him.
So she followed Scarlett. She watched her going inside the agency in the morning. She watched her buying her lunch and getting on the bus some hours later. From the other side of the wire fence of the orphanage, she watched her working on the children and then followed her cab to the club.
Now on the street, she had a wide view form the court where she was playing. She didn't know why she was following her, but she was certain about something after being watching her: Scarlett was the woman Jack deserved. Yet she had found a flaw in her. She was just too damn happy. She didn't know what it was to feel pain inside, and probably she never would. That was something she'd never have in common with Jack. Scarlett would never be able to look in his eyes and say without words, just blinking, that she knew what he was feeling within his heart, what he was thinking.
Kate ran her hand over her pocket and burst into tears as she felt the tiny box inside. She remembered Claire's words. She was right. It wasn't about her or what she wanted. It was about what Jack deserved. And she did love him and cared about him more than anything on the face of the planet. She wanted him to be happy, so she had to let him go. She wiped her tears and took a deep breath, ready to go back to his apartment, pack her things and disappear, this time forever.
She lifted her eyes and noticed Scarlett was not on the court anymore. She sure had missed her when she left. But then she jumped startled when she heard a knocking on the car's window beside her. She froze and opened it. — Scarlett, hi! —she said with a trembling high pitched voice, her face pale— What are you doing here? —she asked in a desperate effort to conceal.
Scarlett smiled and threw an impassive look. — Kate, hey… Uh, instead of making up a lame excuse for stalking me, why don't you let me buy you a drink? —she suggested.
Kate swallowed and shook her head. — I'm not stalking you…
Scarlett chuckled. — Of course you're not… So, there's a really nice place just three blocks from here, what you say? —she asked with a warm smile.
Kate looked down and nodded feebly, unlocking the doors for Scarlett to get in the car. She made Kate drive those 3 blocks and they got to a nice but casual restaurant. Scarlett asked for a table for 2 and soon they were taking their seats, one in front of the other. The waiter handed them the menu, which Kate placed on the table without looking at it.
— You're hungry? —Scarlett asked nonchalant.
But Kate shook her head, unable to speak. — You mind if I have something? I'm starving… —Scarlett said.
— Help yourself… —Kate replied flatly.
When the waiter came back, Scarlett ordered a sandwich and a martini. Kate just asked for a beer. Kate was all defensive, believing Scarlett knew or at least suspected something.
— So, Kate, I heard you're starting at The Sherwood's on Monday…
Kate was disconcerted. — Um, yeah…
— What you're going to do there?
— Uh, well, I'm not really starting, they're giving me this training…
— Training? —Scarlett asked curious.
Kate hadn't really talked to someone about her in ages, so she found herself telling Scarlett about it. — Yeah, turns out they made me a Purchasing Manager and I'm being trained for it…
— Wow… congratulations, I'm glad for you… —Scarlett affirmed honestly.
But soon Kate came back from that limbo where she was and it hit on her. — Wait a minute… —she snapped.
— What? —Scarlett asked.
— How do you know I was hired by The Sherwood's?
Scarlett went pale. — Uh, Jack told me…
But Kate's look hardened. — Jack doesn't know, I never told him what was the restaurant I applied for…
Scarlett bit her lip. — Okay, you got me… Uh, well Kate, my dad is a partner there… But he never has time and I take care of his responsibilities in the board. I'm in charge of approving the new recruitments and you happened to be there… —she explained.
— Jack knows about this? —Kate asked frantic.
— No…
— Why?
— Uh, because he would've told you and I was afraid you wouldn't take it if you knew I was helping you out…
— Why wouldn't I take it?
— I don't know, um… Because we don't know each other and maybe you would've found it awkward…
Kate felt indignant. — I do find it awkward… —she affirmed harshly.
— I just wanted to help you…
— Why?! —Kate snapped, raising her voice.
Scarlett looked around embarrassed, then turned back her eyes to Kate. — I don't know, uh… It has to be tough for you, everything you're going through… I thought you could use another helping hand… —she stated sincerely.
Kate looked down and sighed. Hell, that girl was a fucking angel. She remembered the decision she had made seconds before Scarlett showed. — Wow, Scarlett… I don't know what to say… Thank you… —she said with calm in her voice.
Scarlett felt relieved. — No problem…
Then Scarlett's plate arrived. All Kate could do was watching her eat. After all, what they could talk about? Sitting in front of her, watching her fine clothes and her refined manners and her polished nails, with her own engagement ring inside her pocket, made Kate feel sick. She took a long sip of her beer to drown her emotions. Then she realized Scarlett was indeed an enhanced version of her. If Jack had ever wanted to make Kate the perfect woman, he would've got Scarlett as a result. Was he even aware of that?
Scarlett finished her sandwich and was ready to keep chatting with Kate. And Kate was ready to pretend a little more, then walk away and run again. That was the plan, that was what she believed was best for Jack, for her, for Scarlett… But then he had to call her.
Scarlett picked up her cell phone. — Hello? Baby! How you're doing? Awesome…Yeah, I beat her again, I think I'm on a lucky strike… Uh-huh… No, I stopped to eat something and then I'm picking my car… Yeah…Okay, I'll see you at home then… I love you too… —she said with a thrilled smile.
That call moved the darkest side of Kate, the one that had come to life for the first time when she decided to murder Wayne. The devil inside her awoke. As she watched and listened to Scarlett talking, she felt hatred inside. She wanted to physically hurt her, and the only thing that stopped her from doing it was that they were in a public place. After Scarlett hung up, Kate spoke. — You think you know him? —she asked with empty eyes.
Scarlett was confused. — Excuse me?
— Jack… You think you really know him?
Scarlett looked right at Kate's face and could tell by her eyes that the unspoken truce between them was finally over. — Well … I wiped every tear he shed for you, if that's what you mean…
Kate froze. — Yes Kate, I know everything about you… I know who you are… —Scarlett stated.
Kate felt abashed. — How do you know? He told you about me?
Scarlett gave her a wry smile. — Of course he didn't. Neither he nor Claire ever dared to speak your name… But the second he told me he was helping out this long time friend of his, I knew it had to be you… —she explained with naturalness.
— If you knew, then why you didn't say anything? Why you let him take me in?
Scarlett remained impassive. — Because I needed to be sure…
— Sure of what?
— Well, if I'm going to become Jack's wife one of these days, I need to know that he won't be thinking of you…
Kate felt slapped on the face. — So you're keeping your enemies closer, don't you?
— You're not my enemy Kate… I've got to admit that when you showed, I was really scared… It wasn't easy, I thought I didn't have a chance… It was… a test… But the truth is things only got better between us, so I should be the one thanking you.
Kate's looked hardened. — What for?
Scarlett threw a winning smile. — Because seeing you again gave him closure… You helped him confirm he loves me…
Kate chuckled and almost laughed out loud. — You're wrong…
Scarlett's smile faded away and she threw Kate a questioning look. — I slept with him… —Kate declared.
Scarlett's face went pale. — No, you didn't… —she said in denial.
— Yes, Scarlett. That trip you made, he told me about it… I knew you'd be out of town… We had dinner together and it happened…
Tears began forming in Scarlett's eyes. — You're lying…
— Ask him if you don't believe me… I'm sorry that you have to learn through me, but I think is just not fair for you… You deserve better than being under my shadow… —Kate stated coldly.
By that moment, tears were streaming wild over Scarlett's face. She took her purse and slammed on the table a 50 dollar bill. She stood up and walked away abruptly without saying a word.
When Kate finally reacted, it was too late. She ran her palm through her face and breathed deeply. Scarlett's name was the new addition on the list of the many lives she had ruined. She thought of the poor girl, whose only fault had been crashing into Jack's life, into her life. But she didn't care about Scarlett.
She went back to the apartment and placed the diamond ring back in the drawer at the studio. She knew what was coming. Jack would come to her and confront her. The damage was done. It was time to deal with everything that had ever happened between them since he'd kissed her for the first time on the island. She sat on the couch at the living room and waited.