A/N: Thanks for the reviews; your feedback is greatly appreciated! So about the flower from last chapter, I was actually given a hyacinth recently so I went online and looked it up, funny enough the blue flower means sincerity and constancy but the pink one relates to play, games and sports… go figure! Well, you're probably all wondering which one I got… not, but I'll tell you anyway Lol! I got a pink one… bummer! Anyhow, on to the story… hope you'll enjoy!

I do not own anything from GH, just borrowing… Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Chapter 8 - Don't Mess With My Man

-- EW Offices --

Elizabeth arrived at work that day feeling visibly down because of how awry her date with Jason had ended. The designer passed through Maxie's questioning look quickly, greeting her only with a brief hand gesture then locked herself in her office. This unexpected change in her boss' mood alarmed the young assistant who feared something had gone wrong the night before between Jason and her. Maxie felt responsible as she realized her words were the ones that encouraged Elizabeth to give the man a chance and now he had probably broke her already fragile heart. This could not be.

Maxie contemplated confronting Elizabeth and asking her what had happened but she decided against it, afraid that she was in no shape to talk about it. The best she could do was to distract her with encouraging work news.

The assistant let few minutes pass then knocked lightly on the designer's door. "Elizabeth?"

"Yes, come in Maxie." The brunette was going through a magazine her hand cradling her face and elbow resting on the desk. Something really seemed to be bothering her.

"I just wanted to remind you that you are meeting Kate Howard and Jasper Jacks for lunch at the Metro Court."

"Ah right. I almost forgot about that." She said indifferently.

"And Frederico is going to swing by later to help with choosing clothes and accessories for the ELLE photo shoot. Hopefully he'll be able to cheer up your mood." Maxie said then disappeared from Elizabeth's office in a flash. No need to upset her further.

Why did I have to kiss him that passionately if it was to pull away a few minutes later? Elizabeth mulled over once her assistant left her alone to her thoughts.

Poor Jason was so taken aback that he had to leave. Not just leave, runaway from my house. That wasn't good at all she thought. Elizabeth had just gotten used to the idea of dating again, and Jason had surprisingly turned out to be the complete opposite of what she had first imagined. Unfortunately she was now more than convinced that he wouldn't want to see her again. Ever.

-- Morgan Enterprises, Jason's office --

"Yeah, let her in." Jason instructed his diligent assistant who had just announced him that Carly was here to see him.

"What's up? It sounded important when you called."

Jason talked, back resting on his imposing chair. "Carly, what's all this about; grilling Spinelli over who I am dating?"

"Oh come on Jase! How else am I suppose to find out what's going on in your life? You don't tell me anything anymore. I though I was your best friend! That's what friends do, they confide in each other."

"Exactly, so why couldn't you wait for me to talk to you about Elizabeth?"

She remained silent, searching her mind for a come back for this one; maybe because patience wasn't one of her virtue?

Jason went on. "Listen, I don't talk to you about who I date anymore because you always only have negative things to say about whoever I see."

"Well that's because you have terrible taste in women. But you've reached record lows with this one. What can she possible be good at? Apart from redoing your wardrobe maybe? God Jason, she's so tiny I wonder how you were able to notice her in the first place. At least if she had boobs going for her…"

"Carly…" Jason sent the woman a warning.

"Oh what! You guys don't even have anything in common! I had to drag you to this fashion show and well, if I knew that of all the gorgeous women there you would have picked that…"

"Carly! Don't talk about Elizabeth like that; you don't know anything about her. And what happened to she's so talented and I want to buy all of her designs?" Jason mimicked.

"Well that was before she tried putting her claws into you. I can't believe you men; you never see things that are right under your nose! That woman is trying to use you for PR! I bet her publicist asked her to score a date with you so people would start talking about her crappy collection and you fell straight in her trap!"

"Yeah, only problem is that I sought her out."

"Wow, ok." Carly let out taken by surprise. "You are definitely acting weird these days Jason. I have to get back to the Metro Court to make sure everything is ready for the inauguration of the new spa. But this conversation is not over, don't underestimate women Jason, they'll act all angelic in front of you then turn around and stab you in the back."

The blond woman kissed her friend on the cheek then went for the door.

"Carly!" Jason stopped her in her tracks. "Please stay out of this and leave Elizabeth alone." He prayed these words wouldn't fall on deaf ears because he knew Carly was more than often capable of the worst.

-- The Metro Court Hotel --

Elizabeth was meeting Kate Howard's associate Jasper Jacks that day to discuss a possible partnership. This was huge and the designer was aware of it; alas, her mind was preoccupied by a certain handsome blond who she feared would never speak to her again.

The brunette entered the hotel restaurant and spotted Kate and Jax at the bar waiting for her. She made her way towards them, in a perfectly tailored black pant suit under which she wore a silky dark turquoise chemise. Kate, who was always excited to see her, took care of the introductions.

"It is very nice to meet you Ms. Webber." He spoke in a delightful Aussie accent that for two seconds took her mind away from another blond man.

"Please call me Elizabeth. Kate told me such good things about you."

"I have to get back to Crimson, so I'll let you two get to know each other. You'll see Jax, she's a pearl!" Kate stated before leaving the newly acquainted pair.

The tall man led Elizabeth to a table where the two went straight to business.

"I didn't attend your latest fashion show but Kate swears your design label shows tremendous potential."

"It does, EW's summer line was a huge success and my latest designs also have a lot of people talking. I am already working on a special evening gown collection that is very promising. I already have orders from major department stores and key boutiques. You are more than welcome to drop by any day to take a look at my latest pieces. I also have sales figures you might want to go over." After she stopped talking, Elizabeth finally exhaled, realizing she had almost stopped breathing.

The charming man smiled beautifully in a reassuring way. "I've already done my due diligence, and I trust Kate, if she says EW is worth taking a look at, then that means your label is really promising."

Now Elizabeth could really breathe again. "I am working really hard to make sure we keep growing."

"Great." He said flashing all his teeth at her. If she didn't know better she would have thought he was trying to seduce her. He continued. "What I want is to get to know you and understand what it is that you want to accomplish at EW. Then we'll go from there and see if we can work together."

Lunch went smoothly and although Jax continued smiling at her the whole time, Elizabeth had concluded that he was just being courteous. Exactly like he had wanted, they discussed long-term goals for EW and the tall blond had offered his vision and experience to help Elizabeth figure out how to get there. Kate was right, he was really good at what he did, and very pleasant too.

However it seemed that he had been a little too nice. When Jax offered to usher Elizabeth out of the hotel, a tall curly haired blonde angrily made her way towards them. Elizabeth had never seen the wild looking woman before but had a feeling this would not be pretty.

"Well, I see you didn't waste any time didn't you Jax? Don't tell me you got bored of your precious Kate and now you have to hit on everything that is dressed like a woman?"

"Carly, not now please." Jax had lost his charming smile.

"Oh, is this a bad time?" She then turned to Elizabeth. "My husband thinks this is a bad time."

"EX-husband! Remember?" He insisted.

"Oh no, I haven't signed these papers yet and I will not make this easy for you."

The last thing Elizabeth wanted was to be caught in the middle of an EX-lovers quarrel. "I think I'll let you two discuss what it is that you need to... umm discuss."

"Not so fast you!" Carly shouted as she caught the designer trying to exit quietly. "Oh this is good, so what Jason is not enough for you anymore you have to go after my husband now?"

What does Jason have to do with this? Her remark completely threw off the brunette, but not enough to make her lose her words. "Listen, I have no idea who you are and what you are talking about but I have to get back to work." Elizabeth then faced Jax, feeling sorry he had to deal with that crazed woman. "Lunch was a pleasure; feel free to drop by EW anytime so I can show you all that we've discussed."

"I'm not done with you! Think I didn't see how you were all over my husband. I've dealt with tons of gold digging sluts before; you won't be the first one."

Is she talking to me? Yes I think she is talking to me. Elizabeth didn't want to get involved but she wasn't really given a choice there. "Ok listen… Carly… or whatever your name is. I don't give a shit what you think you know about me but let me tell you one thing; no one talks to me like this. The only gold digging and I might add poorly dressed slut I see in this room is you! So go cry about losing your cash cow somewhere else. We're trying to work here. OK?"

She firmly nodded at an openmouthed Jax who seemed amused by the altercation then with these last words took the direction of the elevators. It had been Carly's mistake to underestimate the feisty designer; Elizabeth left her behind, fuming.

-- EW Offices --

The designer was back at work and could not believe what had just happened with Jax and his ex-wife. This must have been a very painful breakup she though. Hopefully Jax wouldn't hold against her the fact that she had berated his ex wife in front of him and called him a cash cow. However, the good thing in all this was that seeing other people's messed up life cheered her up. It was a sad thing to admit but it was true. She didn't feel as sorry for herself as she had after Jason deserted her house. Yes she made the situation awkward; but nothing she did was beyond repair.

She decided to call him to sort everything out.

"Hello, Jason?"

"Hi Elizabeth. How are you, how's your day been?"

"A little crazy, yours?"

"Very busy, the usual."

"I see. Hey listen, I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I hope you are not mad at me."

"Mad? No! Why would I be mad? You cooked for me, even though it burned, and then you opened up about your feelings and your past. I sincerely had a great time."

Elizabeth was more than relieved. She was ecstatic.

"Good. I guess I was just worried because of how quickly you left; it was almost like you couldn't wait to get out of there."

"Oh no, it's not that. I would have gladly stayed longer. I just didn't want to make things uncomfortable for you."

"Ok. I am relieved."

"Great and I actually meant to ask you if you were free tonight. We could go for a ride and then grab some dinner."

"Oh you know I'm always free for that motorcycle."

--

A/N: Just to give you guys a little preview the next chapter's title will be "A Blast from the Past"…

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