The Same Last Name

A/N Wow! You all are so dedicated to this story. I am actually getting this out much faster than I thought I would. All the positive and awesome reviews are fueling me to write more and more! Hope this chapter meets everyone's expectations:) Again, told from Vincent's POV!

Chapter 15

Vincent stood outside Alex's door, pounding so hard the door frame shook. "Open up, Alex!" he shouted, his rage barely contained. He pounded harder.

Just when he was ready to kick the door in, it swung open to reveal the cool demeanor of Alex. She stood with her hand on her hip, and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"Why, Vince! Whatever brings you to visit me? Did your little girlfriend kick you out?" she said, a smug look on her face. Good, she's making this easy! She stepped aside, and he stormed into the room. Turning around, he grabbed her roughly by the shoulders. Alex winced. "Vince, that hurts!" she whined.

"Good! What did you say to her?" Vincent said, shaking her. She didn't even blink.

"I don't know what the hell you are talking about. I haven't seen or talked to her."

"That's the point. No one has. I just left Catherine's room after she called me a bastard and a liar. She told me things that ring of your vindictiveness. Now," he scowled harder, "What the fuck did you say to Catherine?"

Alex clicked her tongue. "Language, Vince! What would your mother say if she could see you now?"

"I don't give a shit about my mother right now! I'm talking to you!"

"Obviously, she has trust issues. I mean, really. All I did was tell her the truth. She deserved it, since you weren't telling her."

Vincent released her abruptly, causing Alex to stumble back. "I have been truthful with her. But, you filled her head with so much garbage that now she doesn't trust me."

"Is that really the kind of woman you want to be with? One who can't trust you?" Alex came up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "You wouldn't have that problem with me. We could be so good again. We were before. What do you say?" she purred.

Vincent shook Alex off. "Never again. You are a vindictive, evil bitch who acts like I am her favorite toy. I don't love you. I never loved you. The only reason I dated you was to appease our parents. But, that was a mistake too."

"Vince! How can you say that to me? We've known each other since diapers. We did everything together. Our first kiss, our first date..."her voice dropped seductively. "The first time we made love.."

"I was young and stupid. We let our parents dictate our lives and I was miserable. The day we broke up was the day I was truly happy for the first time in a long time. You were always a dramatic, clingy bitch. I hated being with you."

Alex screeched and swung at him. He caught her hand easily and held her at bay. "Catherine was right about one thing. You are a bastard! You are cruel and selfish."

His eyebrows raised. "I'm selfish? I don't think so. I have only ever been selfish about one thing, and that was praying that my wife would come back to me."

Alex's jaw dropped. "You are in love with her! How can you possible love her? She's not even our class!"

"It's always about status with you, isn't it? Catherine may not have come from money like our families, but she has money in her own right. And, yes, I do love her. She is kind, compassionate, loving, funny, unselfish and everything I want. She is everything you will never be."

Alex smirked, and twisted the knife. "And now, she doesn't even want you. Hurts, doesn't it?"

"I'm not giving up. I'll get her back," Vincent said, his voice broking no argument.

Alex laughed. "Good luck with that darling," she said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"I don't need luck," Vincent stated. He walked toward the door. "Oh, and one more thing. I've already talked to the manager. You need to be out of here by the end of the day. Apparently, he is very fond of Catherine and didn't like it when I told him what you did..."

"You bastard!" she screeched again, and he easily dodged the blow she tried to land on his chest.

"Not me. My parents were married when I was conceived. Can yours say the same?" Vincent smirked. He slammed the door just as something shattered against the door. He could hear her screaming obscenities at him.

Now, how was he gonna get Catherine back?

After Vincent left, Catherine stared at the door. She wanted to believe him. Oh, how she wanted to believe him. Her heart knew that he hadn't lied to her, but Alex's words were so convincing, that she bought into them. And now, she had lost Vincent...again.

A couple hours later, A knock on her door gave her pause."Who is it?" she croaked out.

"It's Tess. May I come in?"

Catherine stood up and clicked the lock, swinging the door open. Tess took one look at her, and immediately headed into her bathroom. Catherine heard the water running as Tess filled the tub. She came back out, and pushed Catherine in the room, telling her to wash and clean everything that wasn't nailed down. Her tone pushed Catherine to listen. While Catherine did that, Tess went to work on the dishes and cleaned up the apartment. She vacuumed and put fresh sheets on the bed.

When Catherine finally emerged from the bathroom, her hair was clean and she smelled like flowers. She had on her fluffy robe. Tess had found some salvageable food in the fridge, and had made Catherine and herself a decent meal.

Catherine sat down at the table, grateful for Tess's intervention. They ate in silence, and Catherine realized that Tess could be a good friend if she allowed it.

"You love him, right?" Tess asked quietly. Catherine's head shot up. Tess was watching her with a small smile on her face. "Vincent? You still love him, huh?"

Catherine nodded her head. "Yes, I do. But, I've lost him. He came over to talk to me and I treated him like garbage. I kicked him out and told him it was over. I listened to Alex's lies, when I should have trusted Vincent. I messed everything up," Catherine said miserably.

Tess tilted her head down, so Catherine couldn't see the smile there. Catherine didn't know it, but Tess had been sent on recon.

"I doubt that. I've know Vincent a long time, and he doesn't give up very easily."

"He did with me..."Catherine whispered. Tess reached across the table, and took Catherine's hand.

"I don't know the details about your marriage. I don't want to know. It's none of my business. But, I will tell you this. I meet Vincent about 3 years ago, through Joe. In that time, I have never seen him date another woman, or even take one home with him. Whatever happened between you, affected him more than you know. And, I know that the happiest I have seen him since I met him, is when you came back into his life."

"I screwed up. He probably hates me now..."

Tess tried hard to suppress the grin that was working on her face. "If she only knew..."

After a couple more hours, Tess excused herself, happy to see that Catherine was, at least, smiling again.

"I'll come see you again before we leave," Tess told Catherine at the door. Catherine impulsively wrapped her arms around Tess, hugging her tightly. Tess returned the hug.

"Thank you," Catherine said simply. Tess nodded, and headed out the door. Catherine looked around her apartment, and saw Tess's handiwork.

Now, how was she gonna get Vincent back?...

A/N Hello hello! Okay, so I hope everyone liked the confrontation between Vincent and Alex. I apologize if it didn't meet everyone's expectations. Hope you enjoyed the Tess/Catherine scene. Review!