Chapter 56

The last thing Olivia wanted to do on a Saturday night was go to some stupid party, even if it was being hosted for her. Thanks to Lawrence who'd forced her to attend A-list balls for the sole purpose of parading her before his exclusive and distinguished guests, she hated formal gatherings. As she slipped on a pair of antique amethyst earrings; there was a knock on her door.

'Ready?'

'Come in Max, I'm all set.' She called out, getting up to face him as soon as he entered. 'Do I look alright?' For the party she'd chosen to wear a short deep purple dress with thin straps, the usual minimal makeup and her long hair piled up, curls artfully hanging on either side of her face. Max stared at her, speechless for a long minute.

'Wow, you look... phenomenal.' He said finally.

Olivia chuckled, turning away for one last look at herself in the mirror. 'Thanks. For a moment there I thought I would have to guess what you were thinking.'

Max walked up to her, slipping his arms round her waist from behind. 'I only think of one person... all the time.' he said, brushing a light kiss on her cheek.

Olivia sighed. Their movie date had evolved to dinner at The Wings where he made his feelings for her clear. He was very attractive and she found him charming but unlike with Nathan and EJ there was no spark which was a huge relief since the last thing she needed was more emotional complications.

'Max... we've already been through this.' She said softly, disentangling herself before turning to face him. 'I'm flattered, honestly... but I don't feel that way about you.'

Max held her face between his palms, his expression wistful. 'Once again I have to ask... is there someone else?'

Olivia hesitated before nodding. 'But it's a complicated situation right now, one I really don't want to talk about.'

'That bad?'

'It's not bad per se... A lot of issues are just involved. And it would be even more complicated if I start a one sided relationship with you.'

Sighing, Max let her go, burying his hands deep in his pockets. 'Wow.' He muttered.

'Oh Max, please don't be this way. You're absolutely wonderful and kind and any girl would be more than proud to be your girlfriend. But I prefer you know about this now rather than after we start something and we fall out because of it. I don't want to lose your friendship for anything.' Olivia said persuasively.

Max regarded her silently for a few seconds. 'Well, I guess I'd rather have you for a friend than not having you in my life at all.' he said at last. 'It's just... I really do love you, Beauty.'

Olivia winced. 'Max...'

'No, no... it's okay.' He took her in his arms again, kissing her forehead. 'You've been more than honest and I respect that. Guess it's just a case of very bad timing.'

'I suppose.' She said softly, toying with his tie. 'Which is a shame 'cos you're dishy and everything.'

This time Max laughed out loud, hugging her as another knock sounded on the door. 'Come in!'

Shawn Douglas entered, eyebrows raised at the sight before him. 'Wow, wow... when did this start?' he exclaimed.

'NOT what you think big brother so don't start getting all steamed up and protective on me.' Olivia warned jokingly, one arm still round Max's waist.

'Yeah man, we're just hanging out.' Max assured him, grinning.

Shawn Douglas shrugged, eyeing him suspiciously. It was all very well for her to say it was nothing but he didn't think that Olivia was fully aware of how the male species operated and judging by the way Max was looking at her, it was something to him. Max was an uncle, friend and brother to him but he didn't want him or any other guy forcing anything on Olivia just yet; mature or not she was still his little sister and there was no way he can shake off the need to protect her.

'Anyhow, you look great.' He smiled, moving over to kiss her. 'So how are we going to go?'

'I suppose Max and I will ride with Mum and Dad, you and Belle can take my car.'

Shawn Douglas groaned at the thought of her New Beetle. 'Oh I don't know...'

'Fine, take Ma's.' Olivia huffed, offended. 'A Camry's less offensive to your macho image; I'll never understand you men! Better yet, you can take the bike.'

'Oh no.' Belle came into the room. 'I'm not getting on a bike that's going to mess up my hair!'

Shane Douglas snorted, unrepentant. 'I'd take it over that bug anytime.'

Max laughed the dirty look Olivia gave her brother. 'Tell you what... me and Olivia will go in her car; you and Belle can borrow Carly's. I'll go get the keys from her now.' he left the room.

'Hey, can I have some perfume?' Belle asked, after shaking her head at her husband.

Olivia waved her hand towards the laden dressing table. 'Help yourself.' She deliberately turned her back on her brother but then started squealing and laughing helplessly when he caught hold of her and began tickling her sides.

'Get off...What are you, eight?' she exclaimed, struggling away from him. Belle laughed as she watched them.

'By the way... Bo told us about you inheriting Vivian's estate.' She remarked, putting down the bottle of Chanel No.5. 'Doesn't that make you feel weird?'

'I feel a whole lot less guilt than when I inherited what was supposed to go to Nicky.' Olivia shrugged.

'If I were I you I'd regard Vivian's money as reparation after what that bitch did to you and Carly.' Shawn Douglas said, slipping his arm round his sister. 'I knew she was here to make trouble, I still can't believe Victor defended her the whole time and then host this damn party.'

'Yeah, I don't understand it myself. What the hell does he hope to gain... buy your love or something?' Belle wondered.

'I sincerely don't know. Somehow I get the feeling something is going to unfold tonight.'

'What's going to unfold?' asked Shawn Douglas.

'It's just a feeling I have, Shawn D.' she shrugged again. 'And it's not a good one either. Not a good one at all.'

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Hope suddenly made a last minute decision to go to Victor's party after all. Why should she cower in the shadows when the interloper was with Bo at this moment, probably hanging on to his arm and basking in the fact that he belonged to her now? She was by no means a vindictive woman but Bo's parting words had left a bitter feeling in her heart, once the one of shocked disbelief had passed. The last 20 years would have been spent with Carly... those words appeared again in her mind. This meant that he would have stayed with Carly despite everything... despite the fact that she'd spent about five years cut from him, their family, their son... five years believing she was Princess Gina, while he was walking in the sunset with his Countess. Maggie had told her that Bo forcibly pushed back all memories of Carly when she'd supposedly died, which explained why he'd moved on with Billie. But he left Billie to be with me! She cried out wordlessly, tears sliding down her cheeks. He loved me... He begged me to come back home! But then Carly resurfaced and all of a sudden he forgot all about his wife and their whole life together as if it had meant nothing to him at all.

Determinedly she went through her closet, anger and resentment motivating her to choose the right dress to face Bo and Carly; especially Carly. And right there and then in front of the other guests she was going to tell Carly exactly what she thought of her. It was the only way she was going to get closure.

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Being in Victor's house for the first time in years gave Carly a surreal sensation. It was hard to believe that once upon a time she lived here as Victor's private physician, then as his wife. Nothing seemed to have changed; the same decor, even the same priceless paintings she remembered hung on the walls. Henderson whom she hadn't laid eyes on for years had greeted her with the same deferential respect he'd given her during her brief time as Mrs Kiriakis; welcoming her back to Salem and congratulating her and Bo on their engagement.

No one seemed to notice the preoccupied expression on her face as she walked about the room, not even Olivia who was chatting animatedly with Tamara Carver, Shawn Douglas and their cousins or Bo who was in deep conversation with Roman and John. Being back in this house... in this room that evoked so many memories was one thing, the serious talk with Hope she was bracing herself for was another. All in all she was not in a celebratory mood; she just wanted the evening to end. Unnoticed, she made her way through the open French windows into the garden lit by a half moon.

More memories, she thought. Here she and Victor had been joined as Man and Wife. During the reception later on she'd wandered out in deep misery at how uncaring Bo had appeared all through the ceremony, staring at her and not saying "I object" like she expected him to. While she thought about it, she'd heard a sound from behind...

It was Bo, unbearably handsome in his tux and looking at her oddly. Trying to gather her startled faculties together she stammered, 'what are you... I didn't know you were here.'

'I noticed.' Was the cold reply. 'I saw the look on your face.'

'What are you talking about?'

'You know. What's wrong?'

Puzzled at his sudden concern, she shrugged. 'Nothing, I'm a little tired... it's been a long day.' She turned away to look at the flowers, unable to look into his eyes now. If she didn't know any better the expression on his face was almost of... betrayal. Which was impossible, Bo didn't love her.

'Yeah... well it's not over yet.' His voice was heavy with sarcasm. 'It's quite some scare you gave everybody.'

She turned round again. 'What do you mean, when?'

'Before the ceremony.' He laughed mirthlessly. 'Nobody knew if you were going to show up. Poor old Victor was sweating blood.'

She had no idea what new game he was playing but she was fed up. It was bad enough that he burst in on her while she was getting ready simply to discuss the cruel letter he'd sent her now he was insinuating God knows what. He'd made it clear he didn't want to be with her, did he seriously think she would pine away waiting for him to change his mind?

'Oh he knew I would show up.' She replied coolly. 'I just needed to adjust my veil that's all.'

Which was a lie. She'd lurked in the bedroom filled with second and third thoughts about marrying Victor, debating whether or not to slip away and make a run for it. Or maybe walk down the aisle and wait for Bo to object, drag her by the arm and they'll run off together. Victor would understand and forgive them later.

But Bo stood by and did nothing.

'You sure took your time about it.' he pointed out.

'I wanted it to be just right.' She was starting to get cross; why was she explaining herself to him?

'Was everything just the way you want it?' he persisted.

No, she longed to tell him. I'm wearing another man's ring! I just got married to a man I don't love! Instead she raised her chin, looking him squarely in the eye. 'Everything's exactly the way I wanted.'

A sneer was what she got in reply to her proud answer. 'What was it the minister said... oh yeah, "Truth remains elusive."' He gave her one hard look before stalking away and for the first time she saw the bottle in his hand. And it was almost empty.

She followed him angrily, the long, full skirt of her wedding gown rustling. He obviously just called her a liar and it infuriated her.

'Bo, you're drunk!' she said accusingly as he took one last swallow.

'Oh, not yet.' He remarked, glancing at the now empty bottle. 'But I'm working on it.'

'You know this makes perfect sense to me; you wouldn't be saying all this if you were completely sober!'

'Oh yeah?' he glared at her. 'You think that I'm some kind of jerk who needs to be drunk in order to say what he feels?'

'I didn't say that...'

'No, you didn't! Ever since my...' he didn't finish the sentence. Instead he turned away, examining the empty bottle. 'Not anymore.' Suddenly he flung the bottle away, smashing against the paved path behind them. 'Not anymore!' he spat.

She shrank back in fear at the pure rage on his face as he moved closer to her. 'From now on you're going to hear exactly how I feel! You won't know what I'm going to say... or do!'

Fear passed, followed by weariness. Again he was talking in riddles; he was so drunk he probably didn't even know what he was saying himself. 'Go... Just go!' she pleaded.

'Go? And miss my dance with the bride?' he sneered again.

'I mean it Bo, I want you to get out of here!' she snapped, walking away but his steel fingers gripped her arm, pulling her back.

'What are you afraid of?'

'I'm not afraid of you!' she struggled.

'Oh yeah? Afraid I might mess up your little party? Might say something I shouldn't?' he shook her roughly. 'Speak out of line? Maybe I'll spit in the punch bowl... maybe I'll cause a fight!'

She couldn't bear seeing him like this; so angry and hateful. Why, why was he behaving like this? She struggled again but his hold was too strong.

'You don't know what I'd do, do you? And that scares you.' he challenged, eyes glinting.

Which was true, God knows what he was capable of doing in the state he was in right now. But she wasn't afraid of him either because he was nothing like Lawrence. 'You would never do anything to hurt me or anyone else.'

'Yeah?' he pulled her close to him. 'I sure can embarrass you.'

'I am NOT afraid of being embarrassed!' she denied, heart painfully beating against her chest. Now what was he planning to do, ravish her right here? He wouldn't dare...

But his hands were now gripping both sides of her face, his own much too close. 'What are you afraid of?' he repeated harshly. 'Tell me. Afraid of this?'

The kiss she received was brutal. Passionate. Incredible.

Carly flinched then relaxed as a pair of warm arms snaked round her waist.

'I missed you in there. You okay?'

She shrugged. 'Just took a quick stroll down memory lane. This place brings back so many memories.'

'Which one in particular?'

She turned, looking at him. 'The conversation we had after the reception.'

'Ah...' Bo said ruefully. 'I was not on my best behaviour that day. We were both pretty miserable... too stubborn and afraid to say what we really felt.'

'So true.' she agreed, adjusting his tie. 'If I'd told you what was in the note I thought you sent we'd have come clean then.'

'And I would've stolen you away on the back of my Harley, with everybody cheering.' He grinned.

Carly smiled back. 'That would have been a sight. But looking back now, if we'd reconciled that day, we probably wouldn't have had that special time in Mexico.'

'Yeah... I wouldn't give that up for anything. And we're going to relieve those memories on our honeymoon.' He promised, kissing her lightly on the lips.

'So did you call Professor Moore?'

'I wanted to but I figured we give him and Soledad a surprise instead. Sounds good to you?'

'Of course it does, I can't wait.' She sighed heavily. 'Just like I can't wait for this evening to end.'

Little did she know that the evening's end was something the Salemites would be talking about for a very long time.