Scene 19

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." Ridge answered, lingering at the door. " I could come back later."

Thomas whirled around in his chair. "No, Dad it's okay. Is something wrong?"

Ridge sauntered in. " I came by to see you."

Ridge stilled for a moment. He set his full attention to Thomas. "Have you given any thoughts to my proposal?"

Thomas looked down at his desk and rose . "Dad-"

Ridge held his hand up. " Look, I understand your hesitation son. But I know this can work. With your designs and my knowledge...we would be unstoppable."

"Discussing world domination again, big brother?" Thorne asked, leaning against the doorway. "Then again, that is your favorite topic."

Scene 20

Dayzee knew it was her by the rhythmic click click of her heels when they struck the marble floor.

"Hey D," the visitor said as she graciously slid into the chair next to Dayzee.

She was working her power lavender suit with her matching stilettos. A beautiful pearl choker rested neatly against her mahogany skin. She smiled as Dayzee slid the martini in front of her. She nodded her thanks and Dayzee returned it with her own.

"How are things in the celebrity shopper's world?" Dayzee asked, sipping on her wine.

Kenya shifted a little in the chair and smiled. " The usual. You tell them not to wear it... they do it anyway and then give you the stink eye as if you planned a whole conspiracy against them."

Kenya shook her head, remembering her last client's disaster. She continued. " I distinctly told that girl not to wear that outfit. But, oh no- she had to prove me wrong, make a statement."

Kenya stopped to take a small sip: "And that she did. The number one worst dressed on every list. Speaking of making a statement..." She placed the martini glass gingerly on the counter. " What's this I hear that you have caught the attention of some young up and coming designer? Something about 'the hottest of the decade', I think?"

Dayzee provided a sheepish grin. " I don't know what you're talking about."

Kenya nudged her. "Damn girl when you said you had goals, you weren't kidding."

Dayzee saw the seriousness take over Kenya's demeanor. "You know, I'm proud of you right? After what you went through, you deserve some happiness." Kenya paused, glanced down at the floor, back at Dayzee and asked: "Are you happy, D?"

Was she? He told he loved her, had he not shown it? He said that his heart belonged to her, right? Why can't she bring herself to fully believe it? What demons still pursued her?

"We're not here to talk about me." Dayzee answered, tabling the question for another time. She sighed heavily, steadying herself.

"Kenya, your mother stopped by today-"

Kenya stopped in mid drink. "My mother? Oh, is that what she said?"

"Actually, she asked me where her daughter was."

Dayzee concentrated on the wine swirling around her glass.

Kenya's voice dripped contempt. "Her daughter? Now she wants to play Mom."

She shook her head and locked onto Dayzee. "What did you tell her?"

Dayzee swallowed her drink and felt the tightening in her throat ease a little. "Nothing. But she gave me this though." She handed Kenya the card. " She said if I hear anything to call her... I thought I'd give you the chance."

Kenya picked it up, gave a quick glance and threw it back down.

"Tell her she missed it. After what they did? Did she really think we would forget? Oh course, he didn't have anything to do with it, right? Did she mention-"

"No," Dayzee answered, anger sparking to the surface. " I wouldn't let her get that far."

"Good. Cause he's not worth the breath anyway. In fact, they can both kiss my-"

"Ladies," the bartender smoothed out in his silky voice. They looked up.

"That gentleman over there," he gestured to the left side of the room. They both looked at the mystery man. Kenya smiled as the bartender continued. "would like to know if he could buy your next round."

They turned back around. Stunned.

"Is that?" Dayzee asked, breaking the silence.

Kenya nodded. "By that, you mean Juan Carlos Reyes, the hottest thing to leave Brazil since the thong? Yes, that would be him. Congratulate me, I just discovered my next victim."

Kenya saw the surprised look on Dayzee's face.

"Strictly business of course." Kenya beamed.

"Of course," Dayzee repeated and took a sip of her wine.

Dayzee studied Kenya as she began primping herself. That man had no clue that Hurricane Kenya was about unleash her fury full force. She heard Kenya whisper "thanks." as the next drink was presented to her.

"Seriously though,Dayzee- I have nothing to say to that woman. If you want to talk to her, then..."

Kenya slowly removed herself from the bar stool. " Thanks for the heads up."

Once that radar hones in, Dayzee thought. Still, she couldn't blame her though. She looked at the card

once more. The room number 3622 scrawled across the top toyed with her conscience. The person in that room could have the key to the inner peace she sought. Her demons quieted at last. Dayzee placed the card in her purse.

"Looks like the prodigal daughter has returned." she said, finalizing her drink with one huge sip. She rose from the stool, ready to embark towards destiny.

Scene 21

A thought pierced through Dayzee which caused her to pause. What will this solve? Will it be the truth or just some lie she created to appease her? Either way, she had to know. She knocked lightly at first, then chose to increase the pressure.

"Just a minute," the stranger responded. Dayzee thought she heard some shuffling of things through the door. She knocked again.

"Coming, one minute... Kenya, baby. I'm so glad-" Dayzee heard; watching the door whisk open. "Dayzee."

Dayzee could not mistake the disappointment in her voice. Why did this woman always regard her like an afterthought?

"Aunt Ella."

The woman simply nodded and gestured for Dayzee to enter. Aunt Ella peeked her head out, looking in both directions before she asked: " Kenya with you?"

"Me first. Why are you here?"

"I told you. I came to find my daughter."

Dayzee observed this woman. She was a few inches taller than her mother. Her hair fell in loose curls down to her shoulders with only a slight peppering of gray around the forehead. She possessed that willowy frame like the rest of the Leigh women. Her flawless chocolate skin and her laugh lines

complemented her features. But it was her eyes that told a different tale. They lacked warmth. If the eyes were a window to the soul- Dayzee saw nothing. Dayzee wondered if she shivered because the temperature suddenly dropped in the room or due to the coldness in this woman's heart?

"I told you I can't help you." Dayzee countered.

"She's my daughter."

"She's my sister first. Or have you forgotten?"

Scene 22

Aunt Ella landed like a rag doll on the bed and sighed.

"How can I...when the sight of you constantly reminds me?"

She motioned toward the door. " If you won't help me, then we have nothing more to talk about. If you don't mind..."

Her voice trailed off; she waved at the door again. Ella laid down, turning her back towards Dayzee.

"Not this time." Dayzee said, flipping Ella to face her. "We're not through talking."

"I think we are." Ella returned, coldly.

"Why did you do it?"

"Nothing was done to you, Dayzee."

"Is that how you see it?"

Ella sat up and then rose from the bed. "Crystal."

Dayzee created a little distance between them. If she didn't, she wasn't sure what she might be capable of.

"Of course, because you played God with our lives. Nothing special, right? I mean, you got what you wanted. Your precious Kenya. So what if I had to suffer in the process?"

"Oh, stop being so dramatic." Ella responded, waving a hand in the air.

" I grew up with an addict. Sometimes we didn't have enough to eat. Sometimes it was a toss up on whether we had a place to stay. When child services stepped in, I thought this was my chance at a real family...because family loves you no matter what, at least that's what I was told. Except you never believed that, did you?"

Dayzee inched closer. "Why do you hate me so much?"

"Don't be ridiculous. " Ella's face changed to disbelief and then greeted Dayzee with her back again. Dayzee whirled her around.

"Why do you hate me so much?" she asked, her tone much harsher than the last.

"You have all the answers, don't you? That was always your problem."

"Well, I 'm here. Now's your chance to school me. Go head, Auntie. Enlighten me."

"Get out."

"No, not till you answer my question. Why?"

Ella whirled around. "I heard you! You want to know so much. You're right, I hate you. You sicken me. How can I love something that reminds me that my sister slept with my husband?"