Hey girls! I just wanted to warn all of you that this story it's nearing it's end, so buckle up because this is going to be a bumpy ride!
Chapter 20: Secrets Revealed
As promised by the Weather Bureau the storm was over in less than 24 hours. Elizabeth woke up to find the sun shining and the rest of the world completely head over heels. Plam trees were lying over the shore, boats were turned over in the sand and a lot of debris was scattered around the back yard and the streets.
After a quick shower Elizabeth went back down stairs and into the kitchen for something to eat. Jason wasn't anywhere to be found and she was glad. She still wasn't sure how she was going face him after what almost happened between them.
Later that day a few of the guards came back and started to clean the area. When Francis finally came down from Eva's room he was wearing a huge smile on his face and it made Elizabeth feel better.
He made breakfast and announced that he and Eva were going away for a few days until she got better. Elizabeth felt a bit dissipointed, but she knew they both needed the time to be alone together.
Jason needed to keep busy so he went back to the Casino and send the guards to the house to take care of the mess there. Leaving Elizabeth asleep, he had gone upstairs to take a shower and change but by the time he came back, she was gone. He figured she had woken up and gone up and his suspicion was confirmed by the noise of the shower being turned on.
He couldn't stay around to see her. He wasn't even sure how he was going to be able to face her after what he did to her. She was so young and was going through so much with her family that the last thing she needed was to be mauled by him with a storm raging outside. What was he thinking?
He knew exactly what he was thinking. That she was the most beautiful, strong and accepting woman he had ever known. She had showed him more friendship and respect than anyone else had in such a short time. She cared with everything within her and she gave without intention of receiving anything in return. She was so innocent and pure, and yet so much stronger and mature than any other woman her age.
She had impressed him and slowly made her way inside his heart. There was no use in denying it, he was feeling things for her he thought he was't going to feel for anyone after Robin and yet things were so different with Elizabeth. He had admitted he had feelings for the fiery young woman. So now he had to do something about it.
>>
Once Francis managed to detached himself from Eva's side Elizabeth found a minute to be alone with her friend. There was a lot to talk about.
Eva was sitting by the window, watching the mess and thinking about everything that happened in the last 30 hours. There was only one way to describe it, her life had been changed forever. And for the first time in her life she knew what happiness truly was. A soft knock came and soon the door opened to reveal her friend.
"Hey, I come with treats!" Elizabeth entered the room with a tray carrying two cups of hot chocolate and cookies.
"Elizabeth! How are you? Was everything alright last night?"
Elizabeth smiled in mischief. "Not as great as it was for you."
Eva's face colored pink and she covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. "Oh God how did you... Oh my did you hear... Que verguenza! (I'm so embarrassed)"
Elizabeth laid the tray in the night table and walked closer to the older woman. She took Eva's hands away from her face. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. You and Francis love each other and that's what people in love do. They make love. Don't worry we didn't hear anything, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess what happened. Look at you, you look beautiful and radiant. And Francis is glowing and his smile is huge. I'm happy that you guys worked things out. You deserve to be happy."
Elizabeth took a sit in the windowsill, besides Eva. "I am happy. I never thought love could be like this, you know. It's like a dream. Everything is better. The sun it's brighter, the flowers smell better, the air is fresher and raindrops clearer..."
A loud giggle escaped Elizabeth's lips. "You are so full of it! The sun hasn't come out since the storm and there are no fresh flowers a mile round."
"Don't laugh! You'll see... when you fall in love you'll see how wonderful it is."
The young girl's smile faltered and it was her turn to turn pink. She started to bite her bottom lip a sure sign of her nervousness.
"Elizabeth?"
"W-what?"
"Why are you turning red like a tomato all of the sudden? Is there something I should know?"
"No! Everything it's okay. Your imagining things. So, how about your arm. How is it? Because Barbara told you to get some rest and you sure did a hell of a workout last night. Do you want me to check your bandage?"
Elizabeth stood up and walked over to the table and took a cookie in her hand but before she could bite into it she placed it back onto the tray.
"Hum, my arm is okay. Francis replaced the bandage before leaving this morning." She grabbed Elizabeth's hand and turned her so the girl could face her. "Elizabeth, you've been staying in this house for a few months now. And I know that you ramble when you are nervous, so will you stop and come back here. What is going on?"
"Nothing is going on. I'm fine." She tried to smile, but it faltered.
"Is it your family? Or have the scumbag contacted you again? Elizabeth if that pig has come anywhere near you..."
"Eva! It's not him. If that son of a... I'll kill him. If he dares to come near me again I'll kill him."
"Whoa, wait a minute there Liz. Don't say that. You can't stain your hands with the blood of a lowlife like him. Besides Jason will never let him come withing ten feet from you again."
"I know, Jason is great like that." Her eyes traveled to the window and she stared down at the pool side garden.
"It's him isn't it? It's Jason."
A silent tear ran down her cheeks and she dried it fast.
"What has you so sad, honey? What did he do now?"
"He hasn't done anything. Jason's been the best... the best friend anyone could ask for."
"But you don't want to be his friend, do you?"
"He's been sweet and kind, understanding and selfless."
"But that's not what you want, do you?"
Elizabeth's tear filled gaze turned to Eva then and her answer come out in a sob. "N-no."
"Oh honey." Eva moved forward to run her fingers trough Elizabeth's curls.
"I'm in love with him."
"Ay Dios, I knew it! It's okay, babe. Don't cry."
"I know he doesn't fill the same way. And I'll be stupid to think he ever will. He sees me as a kid, a friend, a delicate porcelain doll that has to be protected from the bad and ugly monster."
"I don't think that's true at all."
"Well it is. I just needed to get it out and now I did." She cleaned her tears away and stood up. "Francis will be here any minute now. I'll help you get ready."
"Elizabeth..."
"Eva, don't. I can't keep feeding my feelings for him with false hope. So let's just end this conversation here, please."
"Okay, if that's what you want."
Elizabeth agreed with her head and helped Eva to stand up. They walked to the bathroom in silence and Elizabeth helped Eva to get ready for her trip.
Later that evening, Eva and Francis packed up the car and left for their romantic weekend getaway. Elizabeth was happy for them, but she was also nervous. She was going to be alone with Jason for three days. How the hell was she going to get through the next few days?
Gratefully she didn't have to find out. She went to bed early that day and by the time she woke up the next day he was gone. After showering and eating breakfast she decided to take a walk along the shore with her sketch pad and pencil. She spend most of the day drawing the mess left behind by the storm.
By the time she came back, it was early afternoon. She fix herself a sandwich and sat on the livingroom to watch her favorite telenovela (soap opera). Just when she was about to fall asleep the phone ring woke her up.
"Hello."
"Hello my angel. How are you?" The sweet voice of Grace brought instant comfort to Elizabeth.
"Grace! I'm so glad you called. I'm fine. And you folks? Are you okay? I totally forgot to call you guys before the storm. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, you don't have to apologize. We know you've been busy and the last thing on your mind should be a couple of old..."
"Don't even start with me. You know I love you guys, you are my only family."
Grace tried to hold on to her tears. "We love you too, even though your still a brat. We miss you a lot. As a matter of fact that's why I'm calling."
"What's up?"
"Well, as you know the Webber herd left for Moscow and the only one left is Steven. Well he left early this morning with a blond bimbo for a long weekend and we were thinking that maybe you could come by."
"I don't know, Grace. What if Steven comes home early? I don't want to see him. What they did was awful. I don't think I could stand seeing him face to face."
"Honey, he's not coming home until Sunday night. He was pretty adamant about us not disturbing him. He even left his cell phone."
"I don't know. Why don't you come to see me here?"
"Manuel doesn't feel comfortable in Jason's house."
"What? Why?"
"I don't know. He's getting old and most of the time feels like he's intruding."
"Oh please..."
"Don't worry honey. You don't have to come if you..."
"Okay, okay. Tell you what. I'll go up to the house and I'll even stay until Sunday morning."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Oh I'm going to make your favorite, rice with pigeon peas and BBQ chicken."
"Yum! You don't know how much I've missed your cooking. I'll go pack a few things and be there in an hour. See you then."
"We'll be waiting, honey."
Elizabeth packed an over night bag, because she figured she was going to what used to be her home and she still had some things there.
Once she was ready she walked down the stairs and up to the door. She announced to Felix, the guard at the door, that she was going out. She went back to her bedroom for her toothbrush, which she had forgotten and when she came down she came face to face with Jason.
"Felix told me you were going back home. Why didn't you tell me you wanted to go back?" He walked toward the living room and arranged a cushion, trying to be nonchalant but failing miserably.
Elizabeth frowned at his back. Did he sound disappointed? "What do you mean?"
"I mean that you are not a hostage in this house, Elizabeth. I asked you to stay as long as you liked. If you felt uncomfortable or out of place you should've told me."
Elizabeth's mouth hung open in disbelieve. "What are you talking about? I'm going back to the house, to stay for the weekend because Grace called and asked me to."
Jason turned to look at her and he looked cool and collected his job as an enforcer making it easy to control his emotions.
"I just thought..."
"Well you thought wrong. Besides, what is the big deal? I'm just a guest here. This arrangement is not a permanent thing, right?"
He had forgotten that their 'arrangement' as she called it wasn't a permanent thing. Sooner or later she'll had to go on and live her life on her own and he'll had to go on and live his life without her. The extent of that realization still not striking him as real.
"Right. I was just worried about you. I mean your brother being around and all. I'm sorry it was presumptuous of me to jump in and try to protect you. Sometimes I forget your not a kid."
"You are right I'm not a kid anymore. But I don't mind that you worry about me, what I do mind is when people tell me what to do or judge my decisions."
"I've never done that to you."
"No you haven't. That's one of the things I like about our friendship."
They stood there looking at each other, not saying a word but wondering about the hundred unanswered questions that where up in the air. Felix chose that moment to walk in.
"SeZorita Webber, the car is ready."
Elizabeth blinked and turned to the older guard. "Thanks, Felix. I'll be right out." She turned back to Jason who had walked farther away from her and was standing at the other side of the room. "It'll be alright. Steven won't be around and I'll come back early Sunday morning." She turned and walked to the door. When she was almost out of the door she faced him again. "And for the record you don't have to worry about me, you know."
"Yes I do."
"Thank you."
"Enjoy yourself."
"I will. See you later."
"See ya' later."
>>
The roads where still kind of dirty, but the crews were taking care of most of the debris. Soon as they drove out of the city and into the mountains, the sky started to get clearer and when they hit the the highway on the south of the Island, all of the traces of the storm where gone. Eva explained to Francis how sometimes the storms hit just part of the Island and leave the rest untouched, even when the Island was so small.
They were listening to music, talking and sharing the nice scenery. Everything was perfect. Francis made reservations in a hotel in the city of Rincon, a small city in the west better known for it's beautiful beaches and surfing spots. They registered into the honeymoon suite and didn't wait long to consumate their love in the king size bed.
They spent the rest of the day making love and cuddling. Early Saturday morning was spent walking on the beach and site seeing. Late that night they decided to hit one of the famous night clubs of the area.
The place seemed laid back, turist were hanging around sitting intimately sharing a couple of drinks and trying to dance some salsa and merengue. After dinner they sat out on the balcony of the club and watched the clear night while cuddling a bit more. For them being in love was the only thing that matter. After a while, Eva excused herself to go to the bathroom.
She walked as if surrounded by clouds. A huge smile on her face... a smile that disappeared when she heard the name being called.
"Steven Webber, it was time we saw each other again."
"Morales? What the hell are you doing here?"
Eva moved to the side and stood behind a payphone and watched the exchange. Steven was sitting with a blond woman at a table while a not so tall man stood beside him. Two more men where standing around the table.
"I noticed you didn't want to answer your phone and we still have something to deal with."
"I don't have anything to deal with you."
"Oh yes you do." Tony turned to the other men and without a word the order was made. They took the woman away and left the two men alone. Steven didn't even try to argue. "Elizabeth's still running around hidding behind big bad Morgan and carrying the will with her. Your daddy called me to tell me the plan has changed. We are moving this week and you my friend are not going home until we finish this."
"What do you mean by finish this?"
"I mean that we either get your precious sister to cooperate willingly or we'll have to coax her by whatever means necessary."
The face of the young Puerto Rican was vicious. His intentions clearer than water.
"Don't even think of putting your filthy hands on my sister."
A loud not so friendly laughed erupted from the man sitting in front of Steven. "Come on Webber Jr. she'd not around so the good brother routine is over. We all know you don't care shit about her. None of you do. She's just an inconvenience... an obstacle between your family and their money. An obstacle that needs to be taken care of. And your dad is paying me good money to get rid of it."
"But he said not to touch her. All we need is to make her believe she's crazy..."
"As I already told you. The plan has changed and now I'm in charge. You just do as I tell you and don't get in our way."
Eva was choking on the vile that was coming up her throat. She couldn't believe a word been said between these two monsters. She had to find Francis and they had to go back home and warn Elizabeth and Jason.
>>
Jason went out on his bike all night, his cell phone turned off. He needed to think and to clear his head and riding was the only way he knew how. But even that was a torture in itself, because all he thought was about how empty it felt on the bike without her laughing and hanging on to him while he drove fast on the curves and the cliff roads.
He came home early Sunday morning and went directly to his shower. After a half an hour he came out and changed. He decided to get caught up on some work, his boss Sonny Corinthos had sent over. He made a note that he hadn't even called Sonny to let him know he was alright. The very few times they've talked it had been strictly business for the organization. Not even the casino or the coffee had been discussed.
He decided to spare a minute and call to say hi. Coming to a stop in front of the phone he noticed he the machine had a few messages un read. He rewinded the tape and pushed play, a nagging feeling getting hold of him all of the sudden.
"Jason, it's Francis. Call me as soon as you get this message. It's important."
What the hell could be so important for him to call in the middle of his trip? A frown started to form in Jason's face.
"Why aren't you answering your phone, man? I need to talk to you it's very important. Call me as soon as you get this message."
Okay, something was definitely wrong. He was moving to pick up the phone and dial Francis number when the next message started.
"Jason it's me, why the hell don't you answer the phone? And where the hell is your cell phone. Someting happened and we are coming home early. We need to talk. Don't panic, but just don't get Elizabeth out of your side, until we get there."
Elizabeth? It had to do with Elizabeth. What the hell was going on? If this was a joke Francis was a dead man. Before Jason could reach the phone, another message started.
"Hey Jason this is Elizabeth I was just calling to tell you I'm going to church with Grace this morning and then they'll take me home later this morning. I just called to let you know and so you don't worry. Okay, so I'll see you later. Bye."
The moment her voice filled the house he stopped breathing. She was okay. And she called him. What was wrong with him? He was acting like a teenager over her and he needed to stop. Something was obviously aboutto happen so he needed to keep his mind cool.
He picked up phone and started to dial Francis number when the door to the house opened. Eva and Francis walked inside frantic, leaving the door wide opened.
"Thank God you are here!" Francis said in a shaky breath.
"Where the hell where you? Didn't you get the messages?" Eva was frantic.
"Hello to both of you. I just heard them I was about to call you." Jason said his voice calmed. He still held the phone in his hand so he dropped it. He took a astep closer to them. "Now will you tell me what it's going on?"
"We were in Rincon. Last night we decided to go out to dinner, you know a little seafood and a little dancing... we found this little club. Really nice, great lobster."
"Francis get to the point! God! I over heard a conversation between Steven Webber and Tony Morales. They've been working together all the time. Jeff Webber got Tony Morales to do his dirty work." Jason's eyes became cold and distant. "Nothing between Elizabeth and that guy has been coincidence, it was all part of a plan to make a Elizabeth crazy and put her in clinic so they could get the inheritance."
"What?"
"It was them Jason. I was coming home earlier, but we stayed to be sure what their next move was going to be. It seems like they are staying in Rincon until Wednesday and then they'll come for her. They have people watching you guys."
"Like hell they'll come for her. Over their dead bodies. What is it? They either have a dead wish are just plain stupid. Who do they think they are dealing with?"
"Where is Elizabeth?" Eva asked worriedly. "We have to tell her. She's going to be devastated."
"Elizabeth's right here. And still standing." The three of them turned around to find Elizabeth standing inside the threshold. Her voice was even, her face was pale as a ghost and her eyes blank.
"Elizabeth." Eva took a step closer to her but Elizabeth just walked around her not wanting to be touched.
"Honey, how much did you hear?" Francis asked.
"Everything. I heard everything." Her hands were clenching and unclenching at her sides. She wore a yellow dress that came to her knees and her hair pulled from her face by two berets, the rest cascaded down her back in soft curls.
"I'm sorry you had to find out like this..." Eva said genuinely sorry for the young girl.
"I'm not. I had to find out sooner or later."
"It's better that she knows. That way she can look out for herself. I'm not waiting until Wednesday. Francis we are leaving for Rincon right now. I'm going to double up security here. Elizabeth, you and Eva stay put until we deal with this. That son of a bitch is going to pay once and for all."
Jason started to move but Elizabeth stepped in front of him. "I'm going with you."
"What? Absolutely not. It's too ..."
"Dangerous? This is about me, Jason. I'm going and that's my final decision."
