Chapter 10

Bo did a very thorough background check on Tony Delfino, turning him inside out but found no skeletons in his closet or a criminal record; he was a clean citizen and rich to boot. He knew Carly wouldn't be impressed by that, considering she was from old money. In disgust, Bo put his computer on hibernation, trying not to think of Tony touching Carly; kissing her, making love to her or Carly giving Tony that look she'd exclusively reserved for him alone. He missed her more every day; her laugh, her smile, the look of love in those emerald green eyes. When they lived together; he would always wait up for her till she came home from work, falling asleep on the couch; then she would wake him up by the touch of her lips on his and the scent of her perfume. He missed her clumsy attempts at cooking in his kitchen, the way she massaged his shoulders when he was tensed up. And the love making... more passionate than when they were young. Looking back, Bo saw that they'd lived exactly the way they had been denied; blissful love and equal companionship. For a time they'd shared the large house rented from Shane and Kimberly, but Nicholas' pushy and possessive attitude hadn't made it completely perfect. Their time together in the same house for the first time in years had been idyllic; no fights, no strain. And he'd thrown it all away, by alienating the woman who'd given him so much happiness. Carly was determined to forget him but there was no way she could stop loving him; no matter what she said.

He looked up as Melanie entered his office without knocking, her pretty face hard and resolute. He rose from his desk.

'Mel, what are you doing...?'

'I want you to leave my mother alone.' Melanie's tone was ice-cold. 'She is finally moving on and the last thing she needs is for you to ruin her life again. How dare you think you can just waltz back after jerking her around?'

'I'm sorry I hurt her, Mel.' Bo said quietly. 'Believe me, I am.'

'Yeah right.' The young woman scoffed. 'It was so easy for you to turn your affections back to Hope, acting all lovey dovey for everyone to see these past months. All of a sudden you see Mum with Tony and bam! You don't deserve her and I'm glad she decided to move on instead of crying over you.'

'You should feel lucky that she kept her heart open to you after all the times she cried over you.' He replied. It was a low thrust but Melanie had no right to sit in judgment of him after the way she'd behaved towards Carly before and after she found out she was her mother.

Melanie raised her chin. 'I know how I treated her and I'll always hate myself for it. But what you did was much worse; you betrayed her, you lied to her.'

'I'm telling you I never lied...'

'You lied!' her voice rose. 'You set yourself up as her hero then broke her heart, you weren't thinking about Mum while you were probably having sex with a woman who tried to kill you; you disgust me! And now you want to put Mum through all that again, hasn't she lost enough?'

Bo stiffened. 'What do you mean by that? What did she lose?' He moved from his desk towards her.

Melanie silently cursed herself at the blunder but she recovered fast. 'I'm done talking to you.' She turned towards the door but Bo grabbed her by the arms.

'What, what did she lose?' he barked, shaking her. 'Answer me!'

'Let go of me!' Melanie snapped. 'If you want to know the truth she lost her faith and her dignity; all because you treated her like shit!' she disentangled herself from his grip.

Bo glared at her. 'I don't believe you, Melanie.'

'Force yourself. Just like you need to force yourself to realise that Mum has no room for you in her life anymore. She has Tony and they have my blessing. So stay away from her!' With that, Melanie slammed out of the office, her hands shaking. She'd almost betrayed Carly's trust in a heartbeat and she needed to be more careful from now on. She had no idea what game Bo was playing but somebody needed to straighten him out once and for all.

As if her mood wasn't bad enough, she ran into Hope outside the station.

'Hi Melanie.' Hope greeted, with an effort.

The only reply she got was the most disdainful look she'd ever seen on someone's face. Melanie looked at her hard and long before deliberately side stepping her and resumed walking. But Hope wasn't used to being ignored.

'Can't you even say hello to me?' she said.

Melanie couldn't believe the nerve of the woman. Spinning round, she said harshly, 'I only have one thing to say to you Hope Brady; go screw yourself.'

'Think what you like of me, but I didn't break up Bo and Carly!' Hope snapped back. 'Is it a huge crime we found our way back together?'

'No at all.' Melanie replied, coldly. 'Actually, I wish Bo joy of you. He didn't know a good woman when he had her, my Mum. If he could cosy up to a woman who almost burnt him alive then he must be a masochist!'

'How dare you!' Hope shouted, walking up to her. 'You don't know what I went through...'

'You brought all your problems on yourself!' Melanie shouted back. 'And you had everyone fooled after you left Bo; playing the helpless, jilted wife! I was insane for ever sticking up for you; and hurting Mum in the process, she was the best thing that ever happened to the idiot you're married to.'

'Don't talk about my husband like that.' Hope admonished. 'I love him and he loves me. No matter what Carly gave him, it can't erase what we've had for 25 years; children, a history, a connection. And you're standing here judging me; Carly left him for a rich and powerful man and then ending up killing him; talk about shallow!'

In fury, Melanie slapped Hope's cheek with all the strength on her arm. Before Hope could react Melanie hurled her on the ground, hitting her in places she could reach while Hope struggled vigorously under her.

'Look at me in the eye and say that again, I dare you!' Melanie snarled.

Two patrol men nearby hurried over to the fighting pair and Melanie was forcibly pulled off. 'Break it up!' one said, pushing her away from Hope while the other helped her up.

Melanie slapped the man's hands away. 'Get away from me.' She hissed, turning to glare at Hope who was touching her bruised cheek, dark eyes glinting in anger as she looked back at her.

Without a word, Melanie straightened her blouse and walked away from them. She'd just done battle for Carly's sake. And it really felt good.

From a safe distance, Gus Pascal had seen the whole thing. Since the near altercation at the restaurant, Vivian had ordered him to follow Carly. Inside his coat pocket was a digital camera with photos of Carly kissing her new boyfriend. The one he'd just taken of Melanie attacking the commissioner's wife was a bonus, considering he'd stumbled on the scene by chance. Madam probably wouldn't care but she might find it entertaining.

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That evening Carly and Tony made an entrance at The Cheating Heart. Carly was wearing a green dress with narrow straps and thin bangles on each wrist while Tony chose to wear a black T shirt, black pants and black jacket. Justin was first to spot them and his eyebrows rose as he looked at the man Carly was holding hands with.

'Carly, hi!' Brady rose from his stool to greet her.

'Hi Brady.' Carly smiled, kissing him on the cheek. 'Tony, this is my godson; Brady Black. Brady, Tony Delfino.'

The two men shook hands, Brady's head swimming with questions as he looked at Carly.

'Hi there.' Adrienne appeared, smiling all over her face; Justin at her elbow. Carly's smile faded a little at the sight of Bo's cousin, she was yet to resume friendship with him. 'Justin.'

'Long time no see, Carly.' he said sardonically after she'd greeted his wife. 'You're looking beautiful.'

'Of course she does, she's the most beautiful woman in the place, aren't you baby?' Tony smiled proudly, slipping his arm round Carly.

Chuckling, Carly introduced, 'this is my dear friend Adrienne Kiriakis,' Tony shook her hand, 'and her husband Justin.'

'Pleased you meet you at last, Carly's told me all about you.' Adrienne looked at him appreciatively. He was a hunk. Justin however eyed him and Carly warily. If this was an effort to spite Bo, Carly was doing a pretty good job of it. He'd heard of Tony Delfino in business circles but this was the first time he'd seen him up close, for all his wealth Delfino kept a low profile.

'So how long have you been going out?' he asked, picturing Bo's reaction.

'Not for long,' Carly replied. 'But we've been friends for months.'

'Long distance friends actually.' Tony added. 'But we're official now.'

Hopefully it will last, thought Carly. She needed to make this work, wanted to make it work.

'That's great.' Brady said. 'Happy for you both.'

'Thanks sweetie.'

Carly was aware that Justin was still staring at her very hard but she wasn't going to let him ruin her evening.

'Why don't we order now?'

'I'll get you the best table. Come...' Adrienne took her arm.

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He had to reach her this time, he just had to. She walked far ahead of him, ignoring his calls. He ran faster and finally caught her, touching her soft shoulder. She looked at him, no smile on her face as he knelt before her.

'What's your name?' he asked. 'Tell me your name, please.'

She only stared.

'Tell me your name, please.'

Finally the rosy lips opened and she spoke, 'Gwyneth.'

Bo woke up with a start, his heart hammering in his chest. 'Gwyneth?' he whispered, mindful of Hope asleep beside him. 'Who's Gwyneth?'